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.
Wear hi-vis, comfortable shoes, clothing in layers & all-weather hat (no umbrellas) Bring sunscreen, electricians tape, earplugs, water, pen & paper, phone. Food, medication, anything you may need. in a backpack to keep both hands free & give the distinctive hump under the tabard. see What to bring with you when Stewarding for a complete list
- Stewards' primary task is to keep protesters and passers by safe (eg from
traffictraffic) - Don't talk to the police or security, never repeat or text anything you might hear them say, nor
rumoursrumours. - 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
protestprotest. - Stay calm, don’t get into arguments, take a deep breath and de-
escalateescalate. - To communicate quickly to a crowd, use Mic check e.g. to get people to sit down or
leaveleave. - Stewards work in pairs - e.g.if there is an accident, one stays with the injured, the other gets
helphelp. - Ask the lead steward anything you don't know, but find out where the nearest toilets are
yourselfyourself. - 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
authoritiesauthorities. - On a march slow the front to the slowest participant, don't allow gaps to widen, send banner pairs to hold
intersectionsintersections. - 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
traffictraffic. - Ask and suggest, don't order: people don't have to obey you.
Watch the 4min video of these tips Stewards Briefing Video