Download the Toolkit

The fight for migrants’ rights is gearing up. We must take a firm stand against anti-migrant hate spouted by politicians. Now is the time to call for meaningful narrative change around migration and other marginalised groups. Using our Toolkit, we will be holding politicians and the media to account over how they talk about migrants, including refugees and people seeking asylum, and we need you to do the same.

Last year, we launched our Words Matter Manifesto. This sets out five key steps we all must take to defy hostile narratives around people seeking safety or a new life in the UK.

Here are five ways to help defy the narrative: 

1. Hold the powerful to account
2. Champion new, compassionate language
3. Expose prejudice and division
4. Give power to migrants
5. Start meaningful conversations for change

Real change can only happen if we stand in solidarity with migrants and make conscious commitments to defy divisive rhetoric. 

You can take action by:

• Write to your local newspaper and call out any harmful language you see around migrants, including refugees and people seeking asylum. You can share our handy Words Matter Media Toolkit with them
• Share our Words Matter Manifesto with your local representatives and party political branches. Why not ask them to make their Words Matter Pledge and commit to saying ‘no’ to anti-migrant hate
• Help mobilise and educate your community on how to identify divisive narratives by commissioning a Words Matter workshop
• Support capacity building and political education amongst migrant communities to create the change they want to see by donating to our work today

We cannot remain indifferent to the negative and divisive rhetoric any longer. Together, we can defy the narrative.

Ask your representative to make their Words Matter pledge: letter template

You can find out who your representatives are here:

UK: Find your MP

Scotland: Find your MSP

Wales: Find your MS

Northern Ireland: Find your MLA

You can also write to a Peer (House of Lords), an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) or contact your local authority.

Download the below template as a Word Document here

Words Matter Pledge: assets

Once you make your Words Matter Pledge, you can display the following logos on your website and social media: