Storytelling in September
It’s back to school, the start of official Autumn, and (God willing) a move away from Covid restrictions.
What storytelling tactics can your business or organisation call upon this month to create some awareness raising?
Here are a few to consider:
Festival of Learning – Have a Go Month, September 2021
www.festivaloflearning.org.uk #lovetolearn
Festival of Learning is the biggest celebration of lifelong learning in England. Its aim is to celebrate the benefits of lifelong learning and inspire more people to have a go at learning for themselves.
Have a Go Month encourages organisations and learning providers to offer free learning activities for adults. Could your organisation offer taster sessions, online learning, talks, workshops, or open days? Or could you promote and encourage learning and trying something new amongst your employees and community?
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in your team, build confidence, knowledge & skills, and connect with your community.
National Read A Book Day, 6th September 2021
As hobbies go, reading has a seriously impressive list of benefits
Books expand our minds
It’s rare that you would read a book and not experience a new thought or perspective you’ve never considered before. We open ourselves to new information when we read and can walk in someone else’s shoes for a while. Frequent readers tend to be more aware of cultural differences and social issues while showing more compassion and understanding.
Reading is good for our health
Studies prove that avid readers show fewer signs of stress and have higher problem-solving abilities than people who don't read. Reading renews energy, elevates mood, promotes more restful sleep, and slows the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia through brain activity. Overall, reading leads to a longer, healthier life.
Reading creates community
With the popularity of book clubs, reading is now considered a team sport. Having a group of friends or colleagues to share the highlights, learning points and humour of books with makes reading that much more fun and leads to connection and shared understanding. After 18 months of isolation and restrictions, why not encourage your team to reconnect?
With reading also proven to improve vocabulary and writing skills, memory, analytical thinking, focus and knowledge, why not get smart and creative with promoting it throughout your organisation and the wider community and see what grows?
Recycle Week 2021, 20 - 26th September 2021
https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/citizen-behaviour-change/recycle-now/recycle-week
Recycle Week is Recycle Now’s flagship annual event which is a celebration of recycling across the nation. Now in its 18th year, it’s the one week of the year where retailers, brands, waste management companies, trade associations, governments and the media come together to achieve one goal: to galvanise the public into recycling more of the right things, more often.
This year’s theme: Step It Up this Recycle Week
As Recycle Now puts it:
“The Climate Crisis is a tough subject. But we’re a nation of even tougher subjects. The last 18 months have shown that. And while throughout the past year many things have happened over which we’ve had no control, the Climate Crisis is something we can actively do something about. Every one of us, every single day. Most of us already do, through small but powerful habits – like recycling. We know environmental concerns are still on the increase, so we need to do more. We need to do it now. And we need to act together. It’s time to join the fight against climate change. Step It Up this Recycle Week.
With our proven track record of tapping into national conversations and sentiments, this year’s Recycle Week is set to be a truly impactful national event.”
What are your organisation’s eco credentials like? Recycle Now have a range of free resources available to download and personalise in order to support the Recycle Now campaign in communications with consumers.
Whether it’s tackling plastic use, food waste, or encouraging your workforce to join in a swap of unwanted clothes…this could be a brilliant opportunity to make your mark.
Macmillan Cancer Support – World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, 24th September 2021
https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk
The World’s Biggest Coffee morning is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event to support people living with cancer, and with sponsors such as M&S and Betty Crocker committed to supporting the event, this coffee morning has become hugely well-known across the UK.
People all over the UK host their own Coffee Morning and donations raised on the day are made to Macmillan. The official date is Friday 24 September, but it can be held at any time.
With the pandemic having severely limited opportunities for organisations, teams, colleagues, families and friends to socialise, eat together or even have a tea break together, this could be the perfect opportunity to reconnect, celebrate, reflect, reset or relax as an organisation after the very toughest of years. From a group in a garden, sharing a coffee over a screen or a takeaway cake and cuppa together, you can hold your coffee morning however you like…and do your bit for charity at the same time.
Youth Mental Health Day, 7th September 2021
https://stem4.org.uk/youthmentalhealthday/
Youth Mental Health Day encourages understanding and discussion of mental health in young people, enabling them to live happy and healthy lives all year round. Each year, the day aims to get young people, and those who support them, talking about how to improve mental health.
Mental health concerns for young people have multiplied in recent times. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, one in six young people aged 5-16 had a mental disorder. Though times may be hard, Youth Mental Health Day is here to provide hope. By getting young people engaged in discussions and activities about how to improve their mental health, YMHD goes beyond awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, into tackling the heart of the issue.
Whatever your organisation, your audience or your workforce, the mental health of young people will impact you, so why not take this opportunity to get involved and play your part? With “Get Involved” packs available for workplaces, schools and community organisations here https://stem4.org.uk/youthmentalhealthday/#involved there’s plenty of scope for blazing a trail and demonstrating your commitment to prioritising the mental health of those in your organisation, their families, and their communities.