Thanks to everyone who took part in our online question and answer session about campaigning. Here is a summary of the session.

If you have an issue locally that you’d like support to solve contact campaigns@scope.org.uk  

How did you get involved in campaigning? What first sparked your interest?

BendyGirl

I've been blogging since 2007 about welfare, health, social care issues. Campaigning was a natural evolution. It was the CSR [Comprehensive Spending Review] which tipped me from blogging into active campaigning. Knew I couldn't be the only person going thru bureaucratic nightmare of welfare contradictions and wanted to reach out. 

Damian Chick

I got involved with campaigning as I was annoyed at not being listened to and I decided to take a stand. I started to campaign on the built environment and transport.

 

Sue Marsh

The CSR was so shocking, I felt I had to speak for sick & disabled. Already used Facebook for chat. I wanted to tell people how sick and disabled were suffering, so I started my blog and got to grips with Facebook and Twitter.

dontplaymepayme

I got involved in campaigning because I was cross at the inequality of representation for disabled performers. 

 

Lisa Ellwood

Agree with @BendyGirl - I'm newly disabled and was shocked at people's change in attitude towards me.  Struggled my whole life with health problems. No help and I kept being blamed for. Fighting for myself as much as others. The hell I've gone through in dealing with the system since health nosedived last two years pushed me into actively campaigning

With so many issues, how do you decide which issues to tackle first?

dontplaymepayme

The ones that have the most ignorance attached. These will promote new angles of perception and people shift perception. You have to expect huge resistance, there will be many people who believe change can only come through established routes.

Damian Chick

You have to look at what effects of the wider demographics of disabled people and challenge that.

 

Sue Marsh

DLA [Disability Living Allowance] seemed most urgent. Time limiting ESA [Employment and Support Allowance] too. I tend to react day to day. Using existing news cycle helps traffic, so if news is all about NHS, I try to tailor article that day to fit in, etc.

BendyGirl

We are currently concentrating on the issues in the WR [Welfare Reform] Bill for that reason, wider rights campaigning later. Helping the wider public understand how these issues affect them.

Lisa Ellwood

Following on @BendyGirl's comment - we go with the flow where WR Bill is concerned. Some planned; others happen instantly you can't plan too far ahead... you have to be ready to change gears as needed.

What are you top tips for effective campaigning?

BendyGirl

Shouting/screaming doesn't work. Explaining the reality of our lives calmly & rationally does.  People don't get to ask about disabled people's lives. There's real desire to understand out there, but fear to ask   Engage with people politely & respectfully, especially the one's who disagree with you, but block trolls. 

Damian Chick

We need to maximise local media on Facebook and twitter. Building a rapport with local reporters and wining and dining them. Be prepared to smooze.

 

 

dontplaymepayme

The three p's for campaigning press press press that's how to gain support and lessen ignorance. start local build national. 

 

Lisa Ellwood

#TBofB [the Broken of Britain] is proof that digital campaigning can be very effective. Factual and balanced evaluation and criticism are key social media is invaluable in gaining supporters and shouldnt be underestimated. The digital age has completely changed the nature of activism. If you don't capitalise on it you get left behind. Older methods like demos work but to reach a lot of people in a short time you need the web.  I am a Marketing & Media Communications professional - nearly 25 years. That's my particular speciality for TBofB.

Nottingham Eczema

Not an expert on twitter - but my tip for getting noticed is to meet the need appropriately.

 

How do you find support online?

Khurm

Best way to find supporters is to involve local link groups, gp's, support groups and networking.  With twitter follow people with similar interest and make sure you engage with people you follow and your followers 

Wilkinson Grant & Co

IF objective is to raise awaremenss locally - follow local people write and respond to interesting tweets

Robert Carswell

tips for supporters. ask @Herring1967 if he'd tweet something to his fans, they're/we are easily swayed ;-)  

 

BendyGirl

Always be honest and not self pitying. People respond to accounts they can relate to.

 

Martin Kelly

For twitter - always but always do your bio, it lets potential followers know what you are all about. Give credit for other people's work by retweeting and don't try to claim it as your own as its damned annoying.

Emma

Tips for getting noticed on facebook/twitter? Fill out bio fully, use hashtags, share links (e-mail etc) engage with others. If someone misunderstands you stay calm and try to explain, can lead to good discussion. Try to share the good and the bad to give a full picture. Realism helps people relate. 

Liz Haunch

To get support from someone who is proactive, whether that's a friend, relative or professional.

 

Duncan Edwards

Tips for getting noticed on twitter: follow generously and follow back, RT often, tweet regularly, ask/answer, use #ff.

 

Sue Marsh

Talk about other things too, have fun, chat, joke. Person first, crip second, lol  Also building up different networks for different themes, ie NHS tweeps, charity tweeps, political tweeps etc.

Flirting! Lol seriously, chatting, commenting on MPs tweets, celeb tweets etc often best way to get rapport  Also very simple tip - I always try to thank people for RTs or links.

Lisa Ellwood

Sue is spot on.. just sharing info isn't enough. You have to actively engage to build a community. It's important to get a wide variety of views including those you don't agree with. Trolling not be tolerated. I always say with social media "Quality > Quantity"; no point in lots of followers who don't engage. Also, dont try to please everyone. You can't. Share your life, experiences. Build it and they will come. We are more than the campaigns... we are people first and can have a lot of fun just chatting - very needed!

Is it about targeting places where relevant conversations are already happening and making sure you get your point accross?

BendyGirl

Partly. But it's largely about starting those conversations in places they haven't happened before, like twitter. Accept that as disabled people we all have differing views. Embracing those differences gives us strength.

Sue Marsh

I agree with Bendy. Twitter opens doors previously impossible to open (politics, journos etc). I write about disability AND politics which gave me wider exposure - no problem with adding in hobby or interest.

Rob

I fear we are never going to be heard just going to be constantly pushed aside, sorry I came across as pushy just concerned.  

 

What should Scope be campaigning on?

Rob

Disabled people in the work place, helping employers understand the value in disabled people. 

 

Sue Marsh

Personally, I think time-limiting ESA is a disaster waiting to happen

 

BendyGirl

I'd like to see more aggressive campaigning about WR Bill issues from big charities.

 

ManicSleepTeacher

Agree wholeheartedly about PA's and other colleagues, disabled or not.

 

Emma

I'd like to see you doing more on bigger lifechanging issues rather than access to cinemas and other small things .

 

Liz Haunch

Not having services cut.  

 

Lisa Ellwood

Time limiting ESA is the big one... also hate how DLA works re mobility & care. I couldn't care less about cinema access. That doesn't impact my daily life. Being housebound does. 

erinmaochu

promoting disabled leadership. We need to see more disabled leaders.

 

Darshelle Jones

Celebrating LIFE

 

Farzana Rahman

How people with profound disabilities are treated as in patients in hospital would be top of my list !