Campaigning for changes in policies and services
As well as supporting individual clients with their issues, we look to influence changes that can assist the whole community.
Citizens Advice (CA) Hart sees a wide range of clients presenting with varied issues. This information is used to:
- Look for local patterns/trends and emerging issues
- Influence and campaign for change e.g. building links with local organisations to help improve practice, such as design of forms, and increase awareness of issues people are facing, such as digital exclusion
- Produce local awareness campaigns to inform the public of things that could help them, or keep them safe/save them money etc. e.g. social tariffs, scams
- Work with other Hampshire CA offices on Hampshire-wide issues e.g. concessionary travel scheme, digital exclusion
Our advisers and assessors have a unique insight into the problems faced daily by the people in Hart District. No other agency sees the range of issues that we do – this means that Citizens Advice is in a solid position to influence decisions taken by local and national organisations by working closely with government departments and local authorities. We can spot trends locally and provide evidence to national campaigns to bring about policy change.
Some Recent Campaigns
Some recent campaigns that we have undertaken to assist the local community in awareness of changes that may impact them:
Radio Teleswitch Meters — and why they’re on their way out – Citizens Advice Hart
National Campaigning
We, at Citizens Advice Hart, are part of a national organisation. Each local Citizens Advice office sends information about the problems brought to them (but not about their clients) to National Citizens Advice. The evidence gathered is collated to help campaign officers identify national trends. National Citizens Advice can then present evidence to policymakers, by writing reports and submissions, and participating in consultations to improve policies. It’s this work that has helped to bring about changes such as an extension of the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payment, and the reduction of UC repayments from 25% to 15%.
Citizens Advice is respected for its impartiality and independent analysis and is listened to at all levels of government. Councillors, MPs, Select Committees and Ministers all consult the service on a wide range of issues. This enables us to effectively campaign for social justice and get laws and policies changed for the better.
You can find more information on our national campaigning here.
Would you like to be involved in our Research & Campaigning work?
Do you have any areas that you think we could be campaigning on?
We would love to hear from you. By helping us, you really can make a difference to the lives of people in your community.
