Rita's Story

Rita is a Campaigns Volunteer involved in a local campaign in Bedford. Here, Rita talks about her experience trying to increase accessible housing levels and make home adaptations fairer and faster for people with MND.

Do you fancy taking on the challenge of influencing councils to improve the support they provide to people living with MND

Why not set up a local campaign in your area.

What we mean by local campaign is a group project in your local area where you will work with three or four volunteers to influence your local councillors who in turn will influence their councils to effect meaningful and lasting change.

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To organise a campaign, consider following these steps:

1. Do your research and understand your targets

For example, particular Cabinet Members on the Council may have housing adaptations within their remit/portfolio.

2. Create opportunities to negotiate with those targets.

Either by organising a meeting face to face or online, or by attending a council meeting that is open to the public.

3. Evaluate what you have achieved

Whether that be a creation of a campaign group, engaging local councillors or seeing tangible change in policy.

A pathway to success

Goal 1.

Make contact with your elected councillors to apply political pressure. They are a route to more senior councillors e.g. Housing Committee members.

Goal 2.

Councillors understand issues of people living with MND when accessing home adaptations and can advocate for them within their council.

Goal 3.

Home adaptation process improves. People living with MND can live safely and independently.

Resources for setting up a local campaign

The resources below are here to help you set up your own local campaign. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected].

Local campaign toolkit

Campaigns Volunteer meeting
The local campaign toolkit will guide you through the ins and outs of setting up your local campaign.
Download local campaign toolkit

Once you've scheduled your first campaign development session together, you'll need the following resources.

Download agenda

Download slides

Download local analysis

For your second campaign development session you'll need the following resources. You can update the local action plan each time you meet as a group.

Download agenda

Download local action plan

We'd encourage you to keep in touch with them as the campaign progresses. Email our Communications Team for help drafting a follow up press release.