On Wednesday (9^th July), people from across the country came together in London for the Mass Lobby for Nature and Climate; a powerful event bringing citizens face-to-face with their MPs to call for urgent action to protect the environment, our communities and future generations. 

Finding our voice at the mass lobby: a journey from North Tyneside to Westminster

Amongst the many people travelling to London was one of our staff members, Bryony Carter, who lives in North Tyneside. 

For Bryony, living in North Tyneside has instilled a deep sense of belonging. It’s a place where rolling greenery meets a proud community spirit. "The woods, the fields, the old wagonways - they’re not just scenery," she says. "They’re part of the identity and natural heritage of this place." But like many others across the UK, Bryony has watched as developments edge closer to beloved local spaces. She’s not anti-growth - far from it - but she wants to know: how do we strike the balance between protecting our green spaces and allowing communities to grow and thrive? 

As is often the case with events like this, despite receiving confirmations from the MPs in Bryony’s constituency, none were ultimately able to attend on the day. However, the Climate Coalition who organised the Mass Lobby, had a thoughtful solution in place: they provided direct mail postcards for constituents to fill in.  

Bryony took the opportunity to write a personalised postcard to each of her local MPs, explaining why she had come to London to take part. 

“For me,” Bryony shared, “it was really important to help them understand the deep connection people have with their local areas - the sense of identity, belonging, and how our natural heritage underpins the well-being of entire communities. I wanted to make it clear that organisations like The Wildlife Trusts shouldn’t be seen as blockers to growth, but rather as passionate advocates for places where people can live and work in ways that are good for the climate, for health, and for a thriving future. That’s what I tried to get across in every postcard I wrote.” 

One of the standout elements of the day was the incredible diversity of groups and organisations present - from large national charities to small grassroots movements. Women's Aid, the Women’s Institute, WaterAid, Surfers Against Sewage, multi-faith groups, and all the major environmental NGOs were there, united by a common purpose. While Bryony’s own MPs couldn’t attend, many others did and seeing MPs actively sitting down, listening, and engaging in real conversations was a powerful and visible part of the day. 

Ultimately, that was the heart of the event: creating a collective voice that could not be ignored, and showing that across the country, people care deeply about the future of our climate and natural world 

Across the day, thousands of people like Bryony, shared stories, asked questions and made their voices heard. There was a buzz of optimism in the air and a sense that change is possible when we stand together. 

From people living in the north to the south, in rural and urban communities, the message was clear: We want a future where nature is restored, communities are heard and decisions are made with care and courage.