Campaigners Network - FAQs
What is it?
The network is a group of Stroke Association supporters who wish to campaign. This includes stroke survivors, carers, health professionals, volunteers and Stroke Association staff, plus anyone who has been touched by stroke or is passionate about improving services.
How do I join?
If you would like to join the network please go to the Campaigners Network page and fill in the online form
Why have a network?
We know that an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK every year. If you also include the carers of stroke survivors, plus family and friends who know someone who has had a stroke, there is a huge base of potential support for our campaigns.
The influence that individual members of the public can have on key decision makers can be considerable, but when a large number of people get together to demand better services and care the potential is huge.
We also want to learn from your experiences and you can tell The Stroke Association's Campaigners Network (TSACN) about issues that you think we should be campaigning on. We can't promise to act on everything you tell us, but it will enable us to recognise common problems and successes.
What will I have to do?
As much or as little as you want. We realise that some people have more time to campaign than others. The TSACN will generate opportunities for letter writing to key decision makers such as MPs, councillors and senior health and social care professionals. You may also want to organise a petition or local event, and may need our help, or you may simply want to sign a postcard and send it to the relevant person.
Will I be sent a lot of literature?
The simple answer is no. As a medium sized charity we do not have the resources to launch many campaigns, so the most correspondence that you can expect from the TSACN will be four times a year, and some years it may be less than that.
Why should I join?
You may feel that your solitary voice does not carry enough weight to change anything significant. However, our experience shows that policy makers and key opinion formers do read the correspondence that is sent to them, and things can be achieved when one person acts alone. When more people make contact the chances are even better.
For example, a Member of Parliament will find it much more difficult to ignore a letter from a constituent of theirs (a potential voter) than a letter from a national charity like us. Your voice does count and we can help to amplify it.
Can I leave TSACN at any time?
Yes. All you have to do is email the Campaigns Team or telephone us on 020 7566 1510, telling us that you wish to unsubscribe.
