Stewarding Everything you might want to know about stewarding events, actions, marches. 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 Register for an online training session, or watch a video recording. 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. Signup to be a Steward on XR Action Network 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 Other related training 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 Sign up to be a Steward on XR Action Network 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: Radical Storage Stasher Bounce If you know of others, please let us know via email. Signup to be a Steward on XR Action Network 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. Signup to be a Steward on XR Action Network 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 Sign up to be a Steward on XR Action Network