Guides and How to's

Find out how to raise your voice and make a difference with our Guides and How to’s.

In this section you’ll find the information and tools you need to take action. There are five modules to help you learn about campaigning, find out what’s happening in your area and brush up your influencing skills.

Whether this is your first time campaigning or you’ve been influencing for years, each module has hints, tips and activities for you to try.

Getting started

Please note: These guides will be updated shortly to reflect the recent changes to the NHS.

Guide to the NHS and user involvement (PDF, 224KB)
How to get involved with your local NHS (PDF, 200KB)
How to start a local campaign (PDF, 207KB)
Guide to working with your political representatives (PDF, 162KB)

Finding out what’s happening where you live

How to know your facts and build a case (PDF, 205KB)
How to find out the views of other people (PDF, 198KB)

Setting your goals and developing a plan

How to set your goal and key messages (PDF, 186KB)
How to work out who to target (PDF, 186KB)
How to check how your campaigning and influencing is going (PDF, 163KB)
Guide to making a complaint about your health care (PDF, 160KB)

Taking action

How to decide your tactics and take action (PDF, 188KB)
How to arrange and attend meetings with decision makers and the NHS (PDF, 187KB)
How to persuade other people to support you (PDF, 205KB)
Guide to involving the media in your campaigning and influencing (PDF, 232KB)
How to write a press release (PDF, 189KB)
How to go online and spread the word (PDF, 112KB)

Diabetes Voices Toolkit

Action planning template (PDF, 174KB)
Meeting planning template (PDF, 149KB)
Meeting follow-up planning template (PDF, 136KB)
Template letter to editor (Word, 35KB)
Template letter to follow-up after a meeting (PDF, 71KB)
Template letter to find out about local services (PDF, 21KB)

We’re keen to hear from you, so get in touch if you can’t find what you’re looking for, need help and advice, or want to share your feedback. You can contact us at diabetesvoices@diabetes.org.uk or on 020 7424 1008.