WaterAid

Election Campaign | Advocacy | Community Mobilisation

Vote Water

Ahead of the UK General Elections, WaterAid needed a powerful campaign to rally public support and secure political commitments to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Our mission was clear: build momentum, mobilise communities and ensure WASH stayed on the political radar. With Vote Water, we turned individual voices into a collective movement demanding action.

The background is a pool of water, which is bubbling at the top. Over the top of it there is text which reads 'Clean water for all'

Visual storytelling with purpose

To bring the campaign to life, we commissioned talented illustrator, Hazel Partridge to design the Manifesto for Water, a visually impactful poster that was printed and sent directly to MPs. The Manifesto combined data, calls to action and human stories to build a persuasive case for urgent action.

There is a sheet of paper outlining Wateraids manifesto for water. It has illustrations on it which show people carrying water or using water pumps
There is a selection of social posts for wateraid showing different campaign items - like people using water pumps, calls to the UK govt, clippings from news articles

Digital and
social push

We designed a suite of organic and paid social media assets to amplify the campaign across all platforms. From compelling video clips to bold, shareable graphics, the social media rollout inspired supporters to add their names to the petition and share the message widely.

engaging
communities

We developed community packs and resource ideas aimed at supporters and volunteers, making it easy for people to get involved at a local level. This approach empowered communities to take part in tactical actions, such as emailing MPs, delivering the Manifesto to local representatives and engaging in public advocacy.

This is a social post which has a picture of a lady collecting water from a pool. Over the top there is text which reads '3 hours every day' showing how long it takes her to collect water every day
This is a social post which has a picture of a lady collecting water from a pool. Over the top there is text which reads '3 hours every day' showing how long it takes her to collect water every day
There is a social post which has a graphic of a stopwatch, with text that reads 'The countdown has started. Lets make sure clean water for everyone, everywhere is on the agenda'
There is a social post which has a graphic of a stopwatch, with text that reads 'The countdown has started. Lets make sure clean water for everyone, everywhere is on the agenda'
There is a social post showing a man collecting water from a pool or pond. Over the top it read 'Globally, 1 in 10 people don't have access to clean water'
There is a social post showing a man collecting water from a pool or pond. Over the top it read 'Globally, 1 in 10 people don't have access to clean water'
There are graphics of Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Ed Davey, with a banner over the top which reads 'Whoever you vote for, make sure water is on the agenda'

Making noise Pre - and Post-Election

Before the election, we demonstrated widespread public support with signature pledges and media outreach. Post-election, we shifted focus to engaging the new Parliament, driving supporters to contact MPs and rebuild WaterAid’s champions in government.

GETTING Results

• Increased petition sign-ups significantly in the lead-up to the election.

• Engaged thousands of supporters in tactical campaigning actions.

• Secured endorsements from key advocates and community leaders.

• Generated substantial social media reach and engagement through paid and organic content.

Cause good trouble

Rule #2

punch

up never

down

No more safe campaigning

Give a damn

Work we’re proud of
and some that got us in trouble.

  • An image of a group of women, sat on a wall. They are all reading the newspaper, which has a green image on the front of it.

    Trussell

    Shining a light on the Injustice of hunger in the UK

    Read more
  • A person wearing headphones is walking infront of a billboard, which has an advert for the bristol cable on it. The wall behind it is bright prussian blue.

    The Bristol Cable

    Fighting for media democracy

    Read more
  • 3 people who are CEOs of different companies are overlayed on a background showing power stations burning fuel

    Global Witness

    It’s payback time for the climate crisis

    Read more
  • Two people wearing hard hats and workwear are holding up a alrge solar panel. On it, it reads 'Over 2,000 members'.

    BEC

    Helping build the biggest community energy org in the country

    Read more
  • A group of people are stood around a house made of logs and fabric coverings. The land around them looks damaged by rain and heat. The photo has a receipt over the top of it that reads 'Payment overdue'

    CVF

    Securing Climate Justice for Vulnerable Nations

    Read more
  • A purple background with a gentle wave graphic across it, has the logo for Younity on top of it. It also has the logos for the Coop and Octopus.

    Younity

    Energising Organic Socials for Community Energy Incubator

    Read more
  • The background has various posters showing slogans to support the NHS. Theyre all decorated with vibrant illustrations and slogans like 'Save our NHS' and 'Stand with the NHS'

    NHS Nurse Strike

    Don’t just clap Rishi Sunak - Give nurses fair pay

    Read more
  • A person is stood in a field, holding a baby. Behind them is a pump, gathering water. There is a slogan behind them in the air which reads 'Everyone deserves safe water'

    Wateraid

    Putting wash on the election agenda

    Read more
Work that matters
Red quotation marks on a white background

I can’t believe there isn’t more of them

- Hanna Dillon, The Zero Carbon Campaign

Walk the walk

Got a project in mind?

Drop us a line
Drop us a line
Cause good trouble