Engaging the hard to reach

[closey]

I have been giving some thought to sectors of our society that are unlikely to know, or find about CAG, and to whom this forum would advantageous.

What can we do to better engage hard to reach groups of society?

For example, how we can target areas of social deprivation where computer use is unlikely, and literacy skills are below average?

How can we reach groups, such as those who’s first language is not English?

There are organisations such as Sure Start which channel into these sectors of society. Perhaps we could try a communications campaign with them. Or perhaps try press releasing to community based campaigns.

closey, I do agree totally with you

[gizmo111]

There was a bit of a discussion on similar lines here http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...-you-know.html

[meagain]

Can we perhaps get some flyers done up and placed at places like council housing options offices and CABs?

[closey]

The trouble with flyers is that still does not tap into those with literacy problems and people who have no access to IT.

I feel very aware that there is a large sector of society who are vulnerable to excessive bank charges (e.g. people living on benefits who have been forced into having bank accounts due to benefit payment legislation).

I have been wondering how we can work with, for example, community based groups who's remit is to engage disadvantaged groups in society. Where perhaps computer skills are being introduced and money work shops are occouring. I know that this type of activity happens through Sure Start and Healthy Living Centres, however how can we get these organisations on board to help spread the message and support disadvantaged people in their claims, in a way that is cost minimal to CAG?

[meagain]

I was thinking of the flyers more in terms of the advisors, who I would assume to be able to read.

[closey]

Yes...sorry...silly me!

[PinkGlitterGirl]

Im a student midwife, and tell my clients, from all walks of life about the bank charges. You may be suprised to find an awful lot of people who are classed as living in poverty have computers and internet access. When we see odd questions on here, and people are quick to write unhelpful comments, I often think this is the question of someone who has literacy problems, or special learning needs... so be kind to them, telling them to read the FAQ's doesnt help these people. Pehaps a buddy system might help, buddy a person who has difficulty in understanding and following through the procedure. I consider myself to be an intelligent person, and still have difficulty in understanding the process, and finding answers to my questions.
Pink

[closey]

Hi Pink,

Thanks for your vaild comments, and I agree, sometimes we can be quick to judge and refer people back to the FAQ's time and time again, but on the other hand, there are vast amounts of people asking for help everyday and a minimal amount of people available to help them. When replying to queries it is sometimes impossible to gage whether that person is being lazy, having a bad day, can't get their head round it, has problems reading, learning difficaulties etc. I think you will find generally though that if the same person comes back time and time again asking the same question, someone will hold their hand until the answer clicks. The support provided by the MODS and Site Helps is second to none and totally of their own backs.

I also understand that many people living in social deprivation have, or can gain access to computers, but I also know from a previous job of mine that many don't and I want to find a way of reaching these people and helping them.

[andyhargreaves]

Maybe TV/Radio publicity, as much as possible.

I suspect for people who do not use the internet these are the most accessible media sources of information. No literacy barriers, and use of specialist programming could help with language barriers.

Andy

[gizmo111]

The buddy system souinds good - I would be quite happy to provide telephone support also and talk people through.

[meagain]

Problem with TV/radio is that many broadcasters won't let you put out some of the finer details (unfortunately it tends to be the important ones) for fear of being in breach of the Broadcasting Code, and remember that spoken falsities once broadcast become libel rather than merely slander. I have a radio show myself, and was briefed on starting out that, while we can be somewhat lax because of the low audience figures, there are some places we just don't go for fear of losing the all-important licence.

I'm told that £5-10k might get an advert out a few times in a minor ITV region, though unfortunately, you've little chance of persuading the BBC to air it as a PSA. Also, folk at ITV would be somewhat edgy about anything that actually advocated taking action, even in the wake of Tonight.

I mentioned flyering the CAB advisors particularly because I have heard reports from people going to the CAB and being advised to just accept the charges and deal with it.

I recently had a random thought about what might happen if (I am not seriously considering doing this, and do not suggest anyone else does either) someone took out a full-page ad in the Sun (other high-circulation periodicals are available) saying that $BANK are "THIEVES, LIARS AND CHEATS", with a brief summary of each point (no need to include the Mail-esque "If we're wrong, they can sue us"). There's a chance that a libel trial will follow which would require the disclosure of things the bank would rather keep quiet, which might be able to set precedent for our claims, however, there's always the risk that the bank's lawyers will grandstand their way to a pyrrhic loophole victory. (Just in case you missed in the first time, I do not suggest nor advocate that anyone actually does this!). I raise this here purely because if someone actually did it, it might have an enormous impact on our claims, especially if they lost.

[tim2718281]

One idea that just occurred to me is to promote the cause via rugby clubs.

I even thought if a slogan: "Tackle your bank!"

If you're not familiar with rugby clubs, this may seem odd.

BUT:

* rugby clubs are almost always classless
* members routinely help each other
* they often have a strong youngsters' section - so there will be some cash-strapped parents who have incurred bank charges

So, if we can plant the right seeds, the rugby community will "pick the ball up and run with it". And with any luck, each club will have a few members who are prepared to help the others with the process.

Tim

[gizmo111]

How about someone telling their success story in magazines like Take a Break, Chat, Bella and Best that sort of thing. They pay for human interest stories which could up the donations here and they have a great number of readers weekly. This would not be advertising but one of those true 'it happened to me' stories.

[claire78]

That's an excellent idea about the mags.

Wat about talking to the local councillors to get them to put something in their political leaflets?

[meagain]

Originally Posted by tim2718281

I even thought if a slogan: "Tackle your bank!"

*groan*

So, if we can plant the right seeds, the rugby community will "pick the ball up and run with it".

*double groan*

You raise some important points, though. I was (un?)fortunate enough to share a house earlier this year with a former miner from the Rhymney valley, who did say that where the staff were divided on some issue, two places were sacred - the rugby club, and the choir hall.

As much as I hate to sound like a dodgy advertising agency, when it comes to the magazines, if we have any women of experience who happen to be making large claims, we'd be on to a winner, all the better if they have children - bonus points for disability ("Bank stole my sons special school fees") - or were recently bereaved ("My husband died to recover my money"). Sad fact of publishing: the more sensational the story, the more people will read it and take it to heart.

[purplefile]

What about sending the information to all the mortgage brokers out there who deal with clients with finance problems?

For the last couple of months I have been asking all my clients if they have had charges and if they are computer literate and if they have a PC .If so I tell them to do it themselves but to come back or phone me if confused.

For the rest who do not have access to or dont know how to use computers I am trying to help by explaining and printing letters and also keeping calanders for them.
This adds a lot of extra work to my day and it is done for nothing so I have enlisted the help of my local independant advice centre who are brilliant.
I have one client who got so excited about the prospect at being able to fight back against the big bad banks herself that she has enrolled on a computer course so that she can use her sons PC to sort out hers and her families bank charges. She is so driven that I'm sure she wont stop there!

The area my office is in is a low dem area consisting mainly of council housing with high unemployment and practically everybody I have spoken to has been charged by the banks.
Being able to actually help people help themselves is very rewarding and the extra hours and late nights are worth it.

Maybe others would do the same if they were aware?