How to Start a Petition (and actually make a change!)
Ever looked at something happening in your community and thought - someone needs to do something about that?
That someone could be you.
Starting a petition is one of the simplest and most effective ways to turn frustration into action. Whether you’re fighting unfair housing policies, protecting the environment, or standing up for equality, petitions help ordinary people influence decisions that shape Northern Ireland.
Through Act Now’s MyActNow platform, you can launch your own petition in minutes - and connect with thousands of others who believe people power still matters.
Here’s how to start a petition that gets noticed and makes a difference:
Step 1: Choose a cause that matters to you
Change always starts with something personal. Pick an issue that genuinely makes you care - something that affects you, your community, or others you stand with.
That might be:
A local issue: rising rents in Belfast, the closure of mental health services in Derry, or councils still spraying harmful chemicals like glyphosate in public parks.
A regional issue: the lack of rent controls, growing child poverty, or Stormont’s failure to deliver a funded Climate Action Plan.
A rights or equality issue: demanding stronger hate-crime laws, protecting the right to identify as Irish, or ensuring disabled people get free bus travel like everywhere else in the UK.
The most effective petitions are rooted in lived experience and shared values. When you care deeply about the issue, it shows… and people respond.
Step 2: Define the problem
Before you can ask for change, explain why change is needed.
What exactly is happening? Who’s affected? What evidence supports it?
Do a little digging:
Check reports from Stormont committees, the NI Audit Office, or trusted charities.
Use facts that strengthen your case, but keep them human; statistics should support your story, not replace it.
Being specific builds trust. Instead of “fix public transport,” say “extend free bus passes to disabled people in Northern Ireland.” Precision helps supporters - and decision-makers - understand the issue clearly.
Step 3: Define your ask
Your “ask” is the action you want someone with power to take. It’s the line between frustration and progress.
A strong ask is:
Targeted: Directed at the person or body that can actually act - an MLA, council, or department.
Achievable: Big enough to matter, small enough to win.
Evidence-based: Rooted in facts, reports, or community need.
For example:
❌ “End discrimination.”
✅ “Introduce stronger hate-crime laws in Northern Ireland, as recommended by the Marrinan Review.”
Clarity makes it easier for people to rally behind your petition, and harder for those in power to ignore it.
Step 4: Create your petition
Once you’ve shaped your cause, problem, and ask, it’s time to bring it to life.
Head to MyActNow and follow a few quick steps:
Give your petition a clear, active title.
Write a short description; 2–3 paragraphs explaining the issue, why it matters, and what change you’re asking for.
Add a compelling image; something that tells your story visually.
Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before. The platform guides you through each stage - and the Act Now team is always here to help.
Step 5: Share it loudly
Petitions don’t create change alone — people do. Once yours is live, get it seen.
Start with your immediate circle - friends, family, colleagues - then branch out to local community groups, schools, and online networks.
You can share directly from MyActNow to:
WhatsApp
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Email
Each share helps your petition reach new audiences. Encourage supporters to post their own reasons for signing - authentic voices will always travel further than polished slogans.
Pro tip: Pair your online petition with offline energy. Collect signatures at community events or meetups. The more visible your cause, the harder it is to ignore.
Step 6: Deliver your petition
When you’ve built enough support, it’s time to take your petition to the people who can act. That could be:
An MLA or Minister at Stormont
A local council
A government department or private company
Use your Act Now dashboard to email your petition directly, or deliver it in person - a powerful moment that can attract local press or TV coverage.
After delivery, keep supporters updated. Share progress reports, media coverage, or official responses. Momentum is built on transparency - showing people that their signatures are driving real conversations.
What happens next
A petition is the spark that lights a campaign!
Once your petition gains traction, the Act Now team helps amplify it through:
Outreach to journalists and MLAs
Guidance on next steps
Tips on keeping your supporters engaged
Some of Northern Ireland’s most visible campaigns started with a single petition; from challenging corporate rates exemptions to calling for better mental-health funding and fair pay for care workers.
Every signature matters, because every signature represents a person who refuses to stay silent.
Need support?
If you have questions or want advice on shaping your petition, get in touch with the Act Now team - we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Email: info@actnowni.org
