BRANCHES of the human rights organisation Amnesty International number in

the hundreds, with one

more being added in Maroochydore last month.

The new group's convenor Ruth Creffield said she was heartened by the turnout at the April 20 launch as it indicated support for grassroots activism in the area.

"Amnesty International

is a really big organisation

and the only way they can achieve what they're trying to do - which is defending and promoting human rights - is these lots of little groups around the world working from the ground up,” she said.

The town planner explained the group was established in Maroochydore as a separate branch to the popular Amnesty International club at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

"It's an opportunity for the wider community, not just people studying, to get involved with the Amnesty campaigns,” she said.

"For me personally, I found that once I had finished university,

there was no next step for me to go (with the organisation).

"Once I transitioned into full-time work, I wanted to continue the activist work I loved while at uni.

"This group is intended for everyone.”

Ms Creffield said the Maroochydore group would focus on three awareness-raising campaigns throughout the year, including child labour, indigenous youth in detention and the refugee crisis.

"In particular, looking at closing Manus (Island) and Nauru (detention centres) and creating awareness about what's actually happening there with the little information we do have,” she said.

The group's next meeting will be held from 6pm on Thursday, May 11 at Project Espresso cafe on First Avenue, Maroochydore.