Why Go Vegan Campaign to Launch at the Bristol Vegan Fayre in April

New Vegan Outreach Group focusing on Traditional Veganism

A brand-new vegan outreach campaign Why Go Vegan is set to launch this April 12th at the Bristol Vegan Fayre, bringing a fresh look to traditional veganism and the benefits of plant based lifestyles to a world that has moved on significantly since the days of the founding of The Vegan Society & the formation of the original vegan social group in the UK in 1944.

The campaign focuses on the history of veganism as a philosophy & the emergence of plant-based diets globally, and is firmly rooted in the works of the original pioneers Leslie Cross & Donald Watson and their friends and colleagues, who were a driving force in the establishment of the vegan social movement 80 years ago, at a time when there were an estimated few hundred people living vegan in the UK. Fast forward to 2025 and with around 1 million ethical vegans in the UK and many more millions eating a pretty much plant-based diet, veganism and plant-based lifestyles have grown exponentially since the founding of the movement at the end of the 2nd World War.

Focusing on the animal rights position and what’s happening to animals worldwide, and a deeper understanding of veganism as a philosophy, the Why Go Vegan campaign also explores the broad scope of veganism including the benefits of plant based lifestyles for human health, environment, and sustainable global food production, as well as dipping into spiritual veganism, vegan values, humane washing, ethics, morals, food justice, human rights, intersectional veganism, holistic veganism, self and society transformation, the origins and definition of veganism and what it truly means to be vegan in the 21st century.

Why Go Vegan additionally encapsulates the broader UK vegan community with its promotion of regional & national vegan events and markets, vegan social gatherings, vegan musicians, artists, comedians, authors, athletes and artistes, campaign groups, sanctuaries and independent vegan traders via the website www.whygovegan.org.uk launching in the summer of 2025.

And shortly the campaign will be announcing its main promotional asset, set to launch in July 2025 and seeking to help people educate themselves around the issues of veganism and plant-based lifestyles, and importantly delve into the many reasons why people should go vegan, as well as helping people with plenty of references and support for how to go vegan.

‘It’s true to say that the vegan movement has at times veered a long way from the animal rights position and the broad scope and focus of veganism as envisaged by the founders of the UK vegan social movement 80 years ago,’ explains Why Go Vegan Campaign founder Tim Barford, ‘and whilst there are some terrific resources available for the food related areas of veganism, there has also been a significant move away from the original values and understanding of veganism. The plant-based revolution has in many ways happened over the last decade, with supermarkets and high street outlets full of innovative and dynamic plant-based options, but in doing so we have lost some of the value of Traditional Veganism as passed along to us by the original pioneers. The Why Go Vegan Campaign aims to address this imbalance, and help initiate conversations around the ethics and morals of all animal use as well as the joys of the latest plant-based products, with a clear focus on animals as well as the broader scope of veganism & plant-based lifestyles. The plant based revolution is awesome – now we need an animal rights revolution and a clear route map for animal liberation.’

‘The campaign will be upbeat, innovative and exciting, with an emphasis on reason and debate, but without shock tactics and scare stories. There is a real place for graphic imagery and shock tactics in the movement, but also a place for reasoned debate and conversation about the true meaning of veganism and the broad scope and hope for the future that veganism brings. The Why Go Vegan Campaign will appeal to reason, and as well as being for people new to plant-based lifestyles, it is particularly focused on helping people who are already familiar with plant-based diets, in order to gain a deeper understanding of why veganism is so important in the evolution of the world. And with a strong community focus, the Campaign aims to help reinvigorate more interest across the country in local vegan events and gatherings, campaigns and initiatives, and independent vegan traders. There is such a wealth of goodness in the UK vegan community and no one should have to struggle to get engagement and support for their initiative – sadly as we know, at present that’s often far from true. Our vegan communities need more people getting involved to help them flourish and grow.’

Why Go Vegan officially launches at The Bristol Vegan Fayre on April 12th, with some special guests and celebrities to help officiate for the day, along with the first campaign materials available. A crowdfunder launches on April 1st to help raise the funds for the initial campaign assets including the website, leaflets, banners and the main campaign asset to be confirmed the same day. Meanwhile, supporters are invited to join the Core Support Team (pledging to support the campaign financially) and the Street Support Team (helping with leafleting, stalls and promotion), as well as the Supporters Club for those that wish to stay in touch with the Campaign and receive regular updates. Information about how to support the campaign can be found at www.vegfest.co.uk/why-go-vegan/support-why-go-vegan/

The Bristol Vegan Fayre takes place from 10am – 6pm on Saturday April 12th 2025 at Document, Bristol. Tickets are on sale priced £6 + fee online, and £8 on the gate
www.vegfest.co.uk/bristol-vegan-fayre-2025/tickets/