Social Action: Media and Communications

Jeremy Olver, The Cabinet Office

Nandini Das, The Social Investment Business

Media and Communications

• What we want to achieve from the Social Action Fund campaigns

• What’s the story?• Your successes• Tips• How we can help

About today

• Raise awareness about social action and how communities can get involved

• Raise the profile of your services / events• Help you recruit more volunteers and participants• Connect social action activities (and your services)

to broader issues out there

Social Action Fund Campaigns

NATIONAL• Supporting evidence – surveys, data, research?• Call to action?• Milestones?• Case studies?• Link to external campaigns and issues?

What’s the story?

HIGHLIGHTS

“…Nick Hurd, the minister for civil society, called on mothers and fathers to use their common sense and manage risks sensibly.

‘I think we all know the importance of play to children,’ he said. ‘Over the past ten years a culture of red tape has stifled the freedom of children to climb trees, make dens and enjoy the simple pleasure of outdoor play.’…”

National Campaigns PLAY ENGLAND

National CampaignsTHE READING AGENCY

LOCAL• Regional statistics • Case studies• Local spokesperson – quotes and regional radio

interviews• Local newspaper – relevant campaign?

What’s the story?

Local CampaignsFUTURE FIRST | CSPN

HIGHLIGHTS

“…Bideford College is one of 500 schools that have signed up to Future First's pilot scheme set up after receiving a £250,000 government grant out of the Social Action Fund.”

“Hayley Lever, CST chief officer, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to support local volunteers who have been inspired by London 2012…”

Social Media CampaignsBEATBULLYING | CITY YEAR

• You don’t even have to be on Twitter to listen in to the conversation

• Visit www.twitter.com/search and just search for your town name, your team, a hobby term… just get going.

• Create an account and start following people.

• Don’t just follow the obvious celebs. Local police, schools, and many teams in government are on it.

• Look for vectors - people who carry the ‘infection’ – who pass it on.

• And have a look at who they follow. It will lead you to other relevant and interesting people

• Not brave enough to tweet yet? A retweet (RT) of something you like is a simple first step

• When you decide to tweet, do it with some tone. Personality is important to help achieve cut-through in other users busy timelines. And a face is a better avatar than an egg.

Top Tips for Twitter

• Providing a ministerial quote• Interviews• Help promoting stories• Visiting projects• Cross-promoting internet and social media• Coordinating with other Govt departments

How we can help

Jeremy Olver

Press Officer

jeremy.olver@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

0207 276 2234

Elise Simpson

Press Secretary to the Minister for Civil Society

elise.simpson@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

0207 276 0393

Nandini Das

Marketing & Communications Officer

Nandini.Das@sibgroup.org.uk

020 7842 7724

Getting in touch