Here’s an idea for how you can strike while it’s hot - on the hottest day.

Cool Stations are a great action for local groups interested in community outreach and mutual aid on the hottest day.

Why set up a Cool Station?

Set up a Cool Station to help your community in the heat and talk to them about why we need the government and businesses to act on the climate and protect workers from the impacts of extreme weather.

You could hold a street stall near a commuter hotspot (like your local train station), in a park, or in a local faith building.

When temperatures hit 40°C in 2022 most people could tell the climate crisis had arrived and many were looking for what they could do about it. Cool Stations are designed to provide places for people to take shelter from the heat and have outreach conversations. The hottest day this summer is the perfect time to engage members of the public and let them know they don’t have to face the heat alone.

It’s also a great opportunity to fold pretty flyers into fans and give out ice lollies!

How to set up a Cool Station:

Anyone can set up a Cool Station. It’s a great one for local groups, or even a few groups to come together to help their community.

1. Form a Cool Station Team

   Anything from two to five or more people is great. Your friends or your local climate group are a great place to start!

2. Choose your location

   Find a spot where you’re likely to see people on the hottest day - outside a train station, your town hall or in the local market for instance.

3. Look after yourself and your team

   Remember, it’s going to be really hot so you might want to plan to set up your Cool Station for a few hours in the morning to catch people on their way to work, or at the end of the day when the heat has eased.

4. Make it cool

   Here are some things you could include in your Cool Station to make a great place for people to get some relief from the heat:

   • A gazebo or a big piece of fabric you can use to create a shady spot
   • Order cool flyers that double up as a fan. We’re not offering a flyer to chuck away but a free fan that can be used in the heat!
   • Bring water, jugs and a few glasses - lots of people will have their own water bottles they can refill but having a few glasses is probably a good idea too! Maybe scout out a tap you can use nearby to refill your jugs (from a friendly shop or neighbour)
   • Sun cream - have a few spray bottles for people to use while they chat to you about the heat strike and they will be thankful.
   • Water sprays like the ones you use for plants for anyone who wants a refreshing spray!
   • Get one (or both) of the signs below printed so people know you’re part of the Heat Strike that’s happening across the UK.

   1. Take photos

      Don’t forget to take photos of your Cool Station and share them on social media with the #HeatStrike

   

Specific cool stations:

You could hold a cool station to reach out to specific communities.

• Outside a commuter hot spot.
• Faith Space Cool Stations - team up with a local church, perhaps one that ran a warm space.