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 such a large event as The Big One we need a LOT of stewards! - over 1,000 stewards per 4hr shift. If you don’t have another role please consider at least one shift (you can do this in groups with friends or colleagues.) No experience needed - training 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).
There is a new basic Steward training designed especially for this event. It contains general action support skills and includes elements from Wellbeing, Embedding Nonviolence, Accessibility and Nonviolent Direct Action training. You’ll then have the chance to specialise and join other action support teams if you wish to