Call on your local MP & Policy Makers to raise awareness this SUDEP Action Day 2019
One great way to get involved in SUDEP Action Day 2019 is to contact your local MP or local policy makers (eg: Councillors).
SUDEP Action has some incredibly supportive MPs who help us make sure our voice is heard in Parliament, but there are many more who aren’t aware about the urgent need to tackle epilepsy deaths, including those from SUDEP. SUDEP Action Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of this with your local MP and local policy makers!
Contacting your local (town and county) Councillors is another important way to raise local awareness of epilepsy deaths, SUDEP and risks for people with epilepsy. Their role is to represent their local community and are involved in shaping local services including health services.
Whether you’ve spoken to your MP / local Councillor before, or if this is your first time writing to them – getting involved by contacting them can really help us raise local and national awareness. You may also want to consider asking them for an appointment at their next local surgery so you can speak to them about these key issues and share your story with them.
Find your local MP and their contact details here: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/
You can also find your local Councillors here: https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-councillors
Download our template letter:
SUDEP Action Day 2019 - Template Letter - MPs & Policy Makers
Download our SUDEP Action Day Briefing to go alongside your letter:
SUDEP Action Day - MP Briefing (23rd Oct 2019)
Download our information briefing (on key stats and how Government can help):
Preventing Epilepsy Deaths - MP Briefing (Sept 2019)
Important points to remember:
- MPs can only respond to people who live in their constituency – could your family and frineds, who may live in other areas, also get involved and help you raise awareness and share your story?
- MPs get a lot of letters/emails, so it may take them some time to reply to you. If you have not heard back from them in a couple of weeks, you may want to consider giving their constituency office a call or checking that your email/letter has been received.
- Sometimes MPs will come back with additional questions or plan to take action because of your letter. SUDEP Action are here to help answer any questions they may have, and can also provide further information on Parliamentary campaigns/work being done on epilepsy deaths – so please put them in touch with us directly.
- Don’t forget to let us know if you do make contact with, and hear back from your local MP or policy maker! It is great to know what impact our supporters are having, and knowing which MPs are aware of how these key issues can help us push our campaigns further with Parliament.
Find out more ways you can get involved in SUDEP Action Day here: http://sudepactionday.org/get-involved/campaigners/