New
New
Year 10

How do grassroots campaigns operate?

I can explain how people start grassroots campaigns and give examples of how these campaigns have made a positive difference in communities.

New
New
Year 10

How do grassroots campaigns operate?

I can explain how people start grassroots campaigns and give examples of how these campaigns have made a positive difference in communities.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Grassroots campaigns are started by ordinary people, not powerful leaders.
  2. Grassroots campaigns often focus on local issues that affect communities directly.
  3. Campaigners use simple methods like petitions and protests.
  4. Working together helps grassroots developments stronger and more effective.
  5. Even small actions can lead to real change when many people get involved.

Keywords

  • Grassroots development - when a group of people come together to pursue a common goal, largely on a volunteer and non-profit basis, to serve a local need in their community; often called a community-led project

  • Advocate - a person or group that defends or maintains a cause or proposal

Common misconception

Grassroots campaigns cannot make a big difference because they are local, small-scale, and led by people without influence or national recognition.

Grassroots campaigns often start small, but grow as more people join. Their local focus makes them powerful, and many have led to national policy changes or raised public awareness.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: How do grassroots campaigns operate?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Share case studies where local, grassroots efforts in your community were successful. You may have examples of grassroots campaigns that led to national impact. Emphasise the power of collective action from the ground up.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does speaking truth to power mean?
Correct answer: confronting those who hold important positions
complaining about people in private conversations
agreeing with powerful people to gain support
sharing opinions with friends or family
Q2.
Match the options with the correct answer.
Correct Answer:legal power,make and change laws

make and change laws

Correct Answer:logos,appeals to logic

appeals to logic

Correct Answer:understanding power,helps us to know how change can happen

helps us to know how change can happen

Correct Answer:pathos,appeals to emotions

appeals to emotions

Correct Answer:injustice,when something is not fair or right

when something is not fair or right

Correct Answer:social power,can influence how people live through policies

can influence how people live through policies

Q3.
Choose three key points that need to be considered when writing a speech.
Correct answer: aimed at who has the power to stop or correct the injustice
Correct answer: explain what is expected in terms of change
use as many long words as possible
Correct answer: explain what the injustice is
focus only on personal opinions
Q4.
"As a young person," is an example of what?
Correct answer: ethos
pathos
logos
Q5.
Nelson Mandela spoke truth to power what issue?
Civil Rights
gender inequality
Correct answer: apartheid
poverty
Q6.
Zyahna Bryant spoke to truth to power about what issue?
climate change
Correct answer: removal of a Confederate statue
female genital mutilation
girls' education

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
A grassroots campaign aims to tackle issues at what level?
global
national
Correct answer: local
international
Q2.
What does the term 'advocate' mean?
Correct Answer: defend a cause, speak up for, stand up for, support
Q3.
Choose two advantages of grassroots campaigns.
Correct answer: They bring communities together.
They are controlled by experts for faster results.
Correct answer: They give local people power and a voice.
They avoid public involvement to stay focused.
Q4.
What grassroots campaign promotes community, health, and wellbeing?
Correct answer: Parkrun
Save Lewisham Hospital
removal of the Confederate flag
sharing FGM information with schools
Q5.
Which grassroots campaign resulted in the High Court overturning the Government's decision in 2013?
Keep Our Hospitals Public
Fix NHS Funding in Parliament
Protect the NHS Nationwide
Correct answer: Save Lewisham Hospital
Q6.
Who can start a grassroots campaign?
council leaders
adults
experience residents
Correct answer: anyone