Changemakers

Crafted for those who dare to challenge the status quo, this is a radical guide for activists.

Drawing from frontline experiences in trade unions, environmentalism, animal rights, and social justice movements, the book explores essential themes from leadership to the art of negotiation. It asks crucial questions about organising and social movements in the 21st century.

Avoiding easy prescriptions, the authors uniquely guide readers to where theory meets practice.

Written by two experts in activist education and community organising, this is a refreshing take on movement building, empowering changemakers of today to forge new paths towards a more just world.

“A must-read for anyone at any point in their journey as an organiser. It’s the exact kind of accessible text we need to understand the connections between national and global justice movements and to bridge the gaps between organisers in the anti-racist space, working-class-led movements, LGBTQ+ organisations and climate justice.” Hannah Francis, Race Equality Researcher

“There is an important tradition of experimentation for social justice and Changemakers contributes to that canon. It is a gift: an offering to the radical, transformative organising that has come before it and all that will come after. I already feel like a stronger organiser having read this book. Every page is an energising call to action—it demands we get to work but generously shows us the possibilities of how.” Emmanuelle Andrews, Social Justice, Abolition and Queer Liberation Campaigner

“This book should have been written 20 years ago. If it had, my understanding of my craft would have been much easier and faster. It is a must-read for anyone wishing to challenge the greedy and the powerful. The book takes you on a journey through the key organising theories that inform and influence the movements of today. You are then brought up to date, where traditional theories of change are presented alongside new and emerging theories and debates in our movement—from organising vs mobilising through to the different debates around models of leadership and leadership structures. As is needed with a book like this, the authors present a range of case studies, showing how the theory applies. Unlike many other books, the authors draw from a wide range of social movements, including animal rights activism. This provides the reader with a rich understanding of the application of deep organising theory—what works, what doesn’t and what we can learn.” Jon Clark, Trade Union Educator

“This excellent social, political and organisational history is as fascinating as it is wide-ranging. The themes on power, theories of change and the vested interests in the status quo will be of particular interest to sociologists.” Roger Yates , Animal Liberationist

“Packed full of insight based on years of experience at the coalface of organising. This book is a treasure trove of organising insights.” Brendan Cox

“This book is essential for mapping the pathways through progressive mobilising and social organising. It brings together up-to-date insights into organising, community engagement and mobilising, with detailed experiences and case studies grounded in actual events and campaigns. It is a highly original and thoughtful book that maps how questions of social justice and participation can be developed on the ground across a range of communities and workplaces. The book is not just a 'how to' guide but is in itself a way of reimagining and rethinking how mobilising and campaigning are key to deepening communities and democratic struggles.” Miguel Martinez, The University of Manchester

“This is the book I wish I’d had when I was a young activist. Drawing on decades of experience leading and being part of many campaign organisations, Page and Holgate are generous with their insights, analysis and reflections. Organising is never easy but it can be fun and is crucial to building hope for the future. This book makes us ask all the right questions to understand and build our collective power. No one has all the answers to ‘what works’ but this book has all the right questions.” Mel Simms, The University of Glasgow

"Building on a lifetime of activism and reflection on activism, Jane Holgate and John Page have created an incredibly useful resource for future changemakers. In their words, ‘the real “magic” happens when new generations of organisers interpret what has been gifted to them by history, and then go beyond these principles to create something genuinely new.’ This book is a contribution to that magic and I would recommend it to trade union and community organisers alike.” Gawain Little, General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU).

Introduction: What’s This Book About?

1. The Two Souls of Organising - Above and Below

2. Understanding Theory of Change and Its Importance to Effective Organising

3. Without Power We Have No Movement

4. Organising and Mobilising: Why Understanding the Difference Matters to Your Campaign Strategy

5. Equality As Central Organising Practice

6. Leadership and the Development of Leaders

7. Developing a ‘Story of Us’

8. Communication and the Changing of Dominant Narratives

9. The Art of Negotiation

10. Disorganising: How Opponents Seek To Disrupt

11. Rethinking and Remaking Organisations

Final Reflections