Celebrate World Vegan Month with The Vegan Society!
November is a big month for The Vegan Society. We are the world's oldest vegan charity, which started inNovember 1944 when our founding members coined the word ‘vegan’.The first World Vegan Day was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the society, held on 1 November 1994. This was later extended to become World Vegan Week and, as we now know it, World Vegan Month. Every November, World Vegan Month is celebrated worldwide as a time to shine a light on the vegan movement.
Over nearly 80 years, The Vegan Society has gone from strength to strength. What started as our founding member's visionhas grown rapidly to meet the demands of the ever-increasing vegan community.
The Vegan Society is a membership organisation, and our members support our important work. This includes our campaigns, helping people to go vegan and stay vegan, providing nutritional guidance, protecting and furthering the rights of vegans, working with policymakers on issues including sustainable agriculture and encouraging more vegan provision in public sector institutions.As a thank you we provide a range of benefits including access to our quarterly magazine, over 100 third-party discounts and member-exclusive competitions. To learn more about becoming a Vegan Society member and how to join us, please visit our membership webpage.
During World Vegan Month, you are likely to see more vegan products in stores, along with the promotion of vegan events, recipes, clothing and more. We encourage you to get involved as much as possible!
The Vegan Society's Vegan Trademark
World Vegan Month is a great time to tell everyone about your commitment to vegan products if you are registered with our trademark.Please visit our Vegan Trademark World Vegan Month page for more information on how we can support you. You can also request an info pack, which includes top tips on how to engage with your vegan customers during November.
"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude - as far as is possible and practicable - all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."
It is important to understand that veganism is not just a diet, but a compassionate lifestyle choice where you do not consume or use any animal products, as far as possible and practicable in this non-vegan world. This means that vegans, for example, will not wear leather or suede, and will not use beauty products with ingredients derived from animals. There are a number of reasons why someone may choose to become vegan; for many, it will be because they do not wish to cause any animal suffering through their choices, while for others it may be because they understand that veganism is better for the environment.
Whether you are already vegan, just starting your journey or have a growing curiosity, The Vegan Society can support you by offering advice and guidance.
- Take the 30-day pledge with our VeGuide app, which can assist you to adhere to a vegan lifestyle for a month. Check the app once a day and take the daily quiz to unlock discount codes for a number of stores. You will also find delicious recipes and surprising facts about veganism.
Vegan or vegan curious? Everyone's welcome! The Vegan Society isn’t just for committed vegans. Join us for help to become vegan, or to find out why veganism is kind to animals, your health and our planet. For just £2 per month, you will receive our quarterly magazine, The Vegan, access over 100 discounts, exclusive competitions and more! To become a member or find out more information, please visit our Join Now page.
- We recommend that you check to see if there are any vegan events being organised in your area. This is a great way to engage with the vegan community local to you and there are likely to be more events held during World Vegan Month. Our events page has listings from vegan groups across the UK who are running events throughout the year.
- Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly competitions, offers and information on all things vegan.
This World Vegan Month, we are relaunching our Vegan and Thriving campaign. Vegan and Thriving is all about helping you to live life to the fullest – no matter your age or lifestyle. Wherever you are on your vegan journey, let us support you on your plant-fuelled adventure, making space in your life for more happiness, peace and connections with the planet.
History
Donald Watson enjoying gardening
The Vegan Society would not be where it is today without the dedication of our founding members, including Donald Watson (pictured left). Donald grew up in a meat-eating household until he turned vegetarian at the age of eight. He described his parents as being very liberal and supportive of him, even though they did not always understand his philosophy to life.
Members of Donald’s family had a farm that he would frequently visit and initially had fond memories of. He soon realised the reality that these farmed animals were only kept because they served a purpose. This did not seem right or fair to Donald, who then eventually went on to become vegan.
Our founders created The Vegan Society to show a more compassionate way of living, where non-human animals are not exploited for the benefit of humans. Theycoined the term ‘vegan’ which is now used across the world to describe this lifestyle.
World Vegan Month was born to recognise veganism and November was chosen as this was the month that we were founded. Our former President, Louise Wallis, created World Vegan Day in 1994 to mark our 50th anniversary.
In the recordings below, we hear Donald Watson as he gives us an insight into his life and discusses fond memories of The Vegan Society.
Download our VeGuide app, available on Android and iOS now to take the 30 day pledge and start your vegan journey today!
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