Welcome to the Campaigns Ambassador Programme

• Part 1: Introduction to Cancer Research UK and our political campaign work

• Part 2: Getting started

• Part 3: Our latest campaigns and next steps

What we’ll cover:

Part 1: Cancer Research UK and recent campaigns

Key facts about Cancer Research UK

Watch and read more about our 2018/19 highlights here.

Key facts about Campaigns Ambassadors

• Campaigns Ambassadors persuade their politiciansand general public to support research, prevention, early diagnosis and treatments.

• Watch our video here to find out more about why Campaigns Ambassadors get involved.

Ambassador Aides

The Campaigns Ambassadors Team

Checkout our website here for more information on our campaigns.

Part 2: Getting started

Your Support

General support from the Campaigns Ambassador Team: • Welcome materials and video• Email and phone support during working hours • Covering of expenses in line with CRUK’s volunteering policy • Fortnightly e-mail update (Your Ambassador E-update)• Online resource hub • Annual training days & ad hoc training opportunities

Peer support via Ambassadors:• An active Facebook group• Face to face or remote support for your induction and to help you take action

along the way through Ambassador Aides

What we expectSome of our key expectations are:

• You will be enthusiastic, dedicated and proactive in your volunteering whilst upholding the charity’s reputation.

• You will only undertake campaign activities that have been asked of you or agreed with the Cancer Campaigns Ambassador Team.

• You will work within the law. In particular Cancer Research UK is politically neutral and does not support or endorse any political party/ candidate.

• Take care of your own health and safety whilst volunteering, and that of others. • You will support our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and be respectful of the diversity of

volunteers.• Let us know about campaigning actions you have undertaken to help us improve the effectiveness of our

campaigning.• You can take a break or stop if the role isn’t working for you.

There is more information in the Cancer Campaigns Ambassador Charter and Cancer Research UK Volunteering Policy.

Working with other Campaigns Ambassadors in your constituency if you have one

Some Ambassadors have another Ambassador in the same constituency as them. Below are some top tips for working with other Ambassadors:

• Talk to and meet with each other early on.• For each new action, discuss if just by email, what you are going to do.• Don’t bombard your MP with lots of letters. Consider sending joint letters/emails in most cases

if you can.• When a meeting is arranged with an MP, attempt to do it together rather than asking the MP

to give up time for several meetings.• Inform each other of any responses you get from people you have contacted.• It’s okay to not hear from another Ambassador. If you don’t hear from them, consider just

emailing them to update them on what you’ve done.

Using social media• See on the Resource Hub more

details on how to find other Ambassadors who tweet and add your details, so others can follow you

• Include in your profile ‘All views expressed are my own’

• @CR_UK Policy useful to follow

• As a representative of Cancer Research UK, you might be asked questions about cancer and asked for medical advice. Youmust not give advice. This could deter someone from going to their GP. As you’re not a medical professional it isn’t appropriate for you to give medical advice. Tell them to go to their GP. Refer them to our website, our Cancer Nurses Helpline orCancer Chat.

Questions about cancer

Part 3: Preparing for a campaign and next steps

Preparing for a campaign:

• Know our campaigns – it is essential to know what you need to campaign on and the key messages.

• Know your political representatives – they will be the key person/people you will be trying to influence.

• Know your area - what is your constituency like and how does it compare to others?

Know your campaigns

Your Ambassador E-update• Every two weeks• Latest news• Core and optional actions

Ambassador Resource Hub• Further information including toolkits and

template letters

If you’re unsure on what you need to do please ask.

Know your political representatives

Questions which are useful to research are:• How long have they been in office?• What is their political party?• What roles do they hold (i.e. ministerial,

APPG)?• What are their general interests (non-political

as well as political)?• How have they voted in the past?• Do they seem to generally support their

party?• Who are their assistants/researchers?

Some useful resources for getting to know your them are:• MP website• Sign up for newsletters• Social media – Facebook and Twitter• TheyWorkForYou website covering national and devolved

here.• Scottish (MSPs): Videos and resources are here.• Welsh (AMs): Watch our video to discover how CRUK

campaigns in Wales and check out the Welsh Assembly website here.

• Northern Ireland (MLAs): Download factsheets here.

Additional resources to learn more about how to develop a relationship with your MP:‘Developing a relationship with your MP’ Podcasts on Resource Hub.Watch a short video on how Parliament works here.

Know your area

Some questions to consider:• Where does your constituency cover?• Which local authority is your constituency a part of?• How does my constituency compare to national averages for cancer incidences?

Resources:• Constituency local stats in your induction email• Local stats on Cancer Research UK website• Research online

Next campaigning action you need to take

Thank you for attending

Cancer Campaigns Ambassadors Teamcampaigning@cancer.org.uk07795 334929

We’re keen to hear your thoughts. In your own time, please complete your feedback form.