Stewarding

Everything you might want to know about stewarding events, actions, marches.

What's it like being a Steward?
So I want to be a Steward, what next?
Steward Communications
Stewarding Training
What to Bring with you When Stewarding
On the Day - 12 Stewarding Tips
Materials for Training Stewards

What's it like being a Steward?

"I've been a steward for XR on a few rebellions, and absolutely love it - the stewards are a really welcoming team and its really fun. When I first started stewarding, I was REALLY nervous, but it's easy to get the hang of, the other stewards look after you and there is lots of guidance and training."
Nic, XR Steward

"I started stewarding in 2020 when I found I was sometimes the only person from my Local Group at a protest. I've made new friends from all over and felt part of a supportive group as well as feeling useful. I had some previous local experience which was helpful but there are plenty of training sessions and we usually buddy up."
Claire, XR Steward

What does it involve?

Stewards: With a large event we need a LOT of stewards! As a minimum 1 Steward per 100 attendees. Even small local events benefit from a few stewards. No experience needed as training can be provided.

Stewards help to ensure all attendees at an event are safe. On a march this would include keeping people away from traffic, supporting road closures and keeping the march together. At a static event, this would include answering questions from the public or attendees, pointing people in the right direction, or helping them find others. We give full training (online and at the event) and new stewards are buddied up with experienced ones (we usually aim to steward in pairs).

So I want to be a Steward, what next?

1. Complete the Recruitment Form

For large scale events we organise rotas to share the workload. Information on these will be published in advance via our email newsletter and on the Telegram chats. Signup to be a Steward on XR Action Network with your details, especially if you want to be verified as a potential Lead Steward.

2. Join us on Telegram

Join a Telegram chat, details here: Steward Communications.
Please don't be put off if you don't use Telegram though - you can still volunteer in person by just turning up on the day and asking for the Lead Steward.

3. Join a Training Session

Alternatively, you will be able to attend a face to face training during events, typically 1 hour before shifts start.

Steward Communications

Contact Us

You can reach the Stewarding Team at Stewarding@extinctionrebellion.uk.

How do we keep in touch with fellow Stewards

Before, during and after the events we use Telegram for chat, queries & call-outs:

Big Stewards Chat: For all XR Steward Volunteers.
London Stewards: For Stewards living in London.

We also use more secure Signal communications for Lead Stewards. You will need to be verified by someone from a XR Team or Supporter Organisation to be added to these.

Hand Signals

These Signals are used to communicate with attendees at an event or action

This signal is used to communicate (silently) with other stewards (try and remember to always be looking round and watching your stewarding colleagues to make sure you keep in contact)

Mic Check: when you raise your arm first to get silence then repeat "Mic Check, Mic check", the crowd repeats this "Mic Check, Mic check". Then you give your short message, the crowd repeats it. Then loop again.

Stewarding Training

We have a number of Zoom sessions where we will go through various aspects of Stewarding and give you a chance to ask questions. We recommend attending Stewards General Training and we aim to run online training monthly and more frequently in the run up to big events. Sign up to be a Steward on XR Action Network to hear about these sessions or keep an eye on the Movement Broadcast on Telegram.

General Steward training - online

General Stewards Training Video General Stewarding Training - 30min
Stewarding a Small Action Training Video General Stewarding Training, especially for smaller actions - 20min
General Stewards Briefing Video Short 4min video of stewarding tips

Make Them Pay Steward training - online

MTP Stewards Training Video General Stewarding Training - 30min
MTP Stewards Briefing Video Short 10 min video of information about the protest for Stewards

We have also run the sessions listed below previously, and can organise again if they are needed:

Accessibility & Inclusion for Stewards
Protest Liasion for Stewards
Outreach for Stewards
De-escalation for Stewards
Roadtaking
Planning and executing a march

Email us on stewarding@extinctionrebellion.uk for details of the above. Training materials, Powerpoint slide decs etc. are available if you want to run your own training sesions.

Training: Face to Face

We usually run face to face training sessions during large events, typically 1 hour before shifts start.

Top Tips Sheet

Helpful sheet if you just want to print one page, export this one as a PDF.

Lead Steward Training

Lead Stewards are welcome to join any of the training sessions above and we can always add on a section at the end to cover Lead topics (it's a few extra slides).

Further Training

These optional additional training modules will enhance your skills and confidence when Stewarding:

Notes on talking to the police
De-escalation Training (log in required)
CPR Training 💔
Street Speakers- short talks you might be interested in delivering to parts of the crowd
Witnessing an arrest
Witnessing a stop and search
Street Outreach Skills Training
Crowd Safety and Crowd Risk Analysis

What to Bring with you When Stewarding

Things to Check Beforehand

Have I installed and checked the communications App on my phone? This is usually Telegram or Signal and details for the event specific chat will have been sent when you signed up to steward.
Have I installed and opened the What3Words App on my phone?
Do I know what time and where Stewards are meeting?

What to Bring

Comfortable Shoes
Clothing Layers
An all weather hat
Water bottle
Food container and utensils
Snacks
A-Z Paper map. These are available cheaply on ebay
Notepad & pencil
Earplugs- rhythms can be very loud if you are stewarding near them
Phone
Power bank for your phone
Umbrella- avoid large umbrellas but small foldable ones can be useful
Your pink hig-viz if you already have one
A badge (or stick on labels and Sharpie pen) to write your name on
A small bag, or better still a small rucksack to hold supplies
The site map or march route (if published in advance)
Suncream

Where to Store Stuff

There is often nowhere secure to store anything during events. If you have small items, it's best to carry them with you. Alternatively, there are several companies that have many sites across London where you can store a bag for 24hrs for a fee. If there are several of you together, try packing everything into one bag so then you only need to pay once.

We are not afiliated to any of these sites and don't recomend any particular company:

If you know of others, please let us know via email.

On the Day - 12 Stewarding Tips

If you're new to Stewarding, why not print this page of top tips and bring it with you to your first action?

Stewards on a protest are welcomed, and we want to be professional too.

Stewards' primary task is to keep protesters and passers by safe (e.g. from traffic).
Don't talk to the police or security, never repeat or text anything you might hear them say, nor rumours.
If asked (e.g. how long, what else): you don't know, you are here to keep people safe, you are not part of the protest.
Stay calm, don’t get into arguments, take a deep breath and de-escalate.
To communicate quickly to a crowd, use Mic check.
Stewards work in pairs so that if for instance there is an accident, one stays with the injured, the other gets help.
Ask the lead steward anything you don't know, but find out where the nearest toilets are yourself as this will often be asked.
Do not point or gesture at people who might be helping at the protest- you may be being filmed so you don't want to be identifying people.
Safeguarding: stay in pairs, do not give unclaimed children to random people, leave reuniting to the authorities.
On a march slow the front to the slowest participant, don't allow gaps to widen, send banner pairs to hold intersections.
On a static protest keep a path clear on the pavement for passers by and keep protesters off the road unless it is closed to traffic.
Ask and suggest, don't order: people don't have to obey you.

Watch the 4min video of these tips: Stewards Briefing Video.

Materials for Training Stewards

The material on this page is for those planning to train others as Stewards. These training slide packs are available for you to adapt as required for your own training sessions.
Materials are constantly being developed and improved so please ensure you download the latest version before use.
If you find any broken links, or have edits or suggestions, please contact stewarding@extinctionrebellion.uk.

Stewarding Training Sessions

If you are looking to simply be trained then see Stewarding Training for a listing of available sessions to book, or watch.

Stewarding Training Materials

Note these Powerpoint presentation should be downloaded and shown using PowerPoint if animations and embedded videos are to work.

Powerpoint Slides for General Steward Training (Google Drive)
Powerpoint Slides for Stewarding a Small Action Training (Google Drive)
Powerpoint Slides for Stewarding a March Training (Google Drive)
Powerpoint Slides for Roadtaking Training (Google Drive)
Video of Blue Light response during Unite to Survive march, Bath Oct 2023
Powerpoint Slides for General Stewarding Training and Make Them Pay Brieifng Sep 2025
PDF of Slides De-escalation for Stewards (Google Drive)

Zoom Images

Zoom Video Background
Zoom meeting Banner Used when a session requires registration
Zoom meeting Logo Used when a session requires registration