The LCA Shop is open
It’s been over a year in the making. There’s been some blood, sweat, and tears. But, we made it, the LCA Shop is here and finally ready. To celebrate we are offering 10% off until the 29th of November! Just enter the code TAKE10.
Yet, we wanted to go into a little more detail about why design is important and why we feel it can add to our and the community’s advocacy efforts. No, we are not going to use the word ‘journey’!
We’re aware that public health messaging from those who should know better has been pretty non-existent. Does the public realise that every Covid infection increases the risk of Long Covid? Does society realise that masking and good ventilation can help to maintain health and ability for everyone? Not on your nelly. And this hasn’t been an accident. There has been a purposeful intent since ‘Freedom Day’ to minimise and cast the spell that we can go back to ‘normal’ without any costly mitigations because Covid is like a cold. Yeah right, say the 2 million people in the UK with Long Covid.
Amazingly, activists, who are often desperately ill, are rallying and doing their own public health messaging. We see the sterling work from Not Recovered UK and their Billboard campaign and the fabulous talent of Berlin Buyers. It is this on the ground, grassroots action that is doing the action the State should be doing. It’s canary in the coal mine stuff.
Guerilla marketing and activism have a strong history. This is evident from the feminist collective Guerrilla Girls and the AIDS ACT UP movement. These are pretty big acts to follow and we can’t claim to be operating at this level, but we wanted to do our bit.
What we can offer is solidarity. Part of our aim was to reclaim the language and narrative that is often used against us. “Activist,” they say with a snide, condescending tone. Too bloody right, we are proud to stand on the shoulders of giants. We want to give confidence and empowerment to those advocating for a better and safer way; to reinforce that this is something to be proud. We should never have to do this if the institutional structures operated in a fair and just way. The myth that the community are just some rabid keyboard warriors having a go at those on high (as perpetuated by one chairman of a particular charity) is one that needs dismantling.
It is important to us that our shop follow our values; Truth, Justice & Compassion. We are aware that pandemics and our health are intrinsically linked to the climate crisis. So everything is made on the Isle of Wight in a renewable energy factory with the highest ecological principles. We are joining the circular fashion movement where, when worn out, you can send clothes back & they will be remade into other products.
But compassion doesn’t mean being overly nice all the time. Our designs (hopefully) have an edge and a directness. Someone needs to tell truth to power. We didn’t want to provide just endless variations of our logo, we wanted to un-brand and give people a chance to let themselves be their own billboard. Non-verbal, visual communication works. It is powerful, and we aspire for the community to be able to up their advocacy game with support and a bit more ease.
So, we also have on offer a postcard campaign where you can send ready-made cards to your MP, Councillor, NHS bigwig or research folk.
And yes, we designed Stevie Nicks mask merch!
We hope you’ll join us in spreading the word, sticking stickers and making a stand. There is free post offered every month and everything comes with no plastic.
Last but not least, this project is to help cover our running costs and then all the profits go to Polybio Research Foundation and ME Research UK. So you can advocate in style and help support vital research.
