16 Jan 2024
Why we're sending postcards
In the run-up to the next general election, we're calling on current MPs and electoral candidates to sign our United for Warm Homes pledge and show their commitment to our campaign. There are various tactics we can use to build pressure and persuade them to sign the pledge, including sending postcards.
It’s important that our decision makers hear heartfelt messages from members of the community about why we need warm homes. We’ve created template postcards in the shape of a home which you can order and use to gather messages to send to current and prospective MPs.
By asking members of your group, local partners and members of the public to fill these in, you’ll collect hundreds of heartfelt messages and bring the voices of the community directly to decision makers. These messages will demonstrate the diversity of support for warm homes, and allow MPs and candidates to hear first-hand accounts of the impacts of cold homes.
How to create postcards
The template postcards can be coloured in and a personalised message can be added to the back to tell politicians why warm homes matter. You can use these postcards at stalls, coffee mornings, craft workshops or any other events you organise. Remember to have a mailing list sign-up sheet to hand and use the opportunity to grow your network.
We’ve also created a version of the postcard that’s pre-filled in case you’re short on time. With this version, constituents can simply add their name and postcode to the card.
To help make this activity more accessible, we'd encourage you to provide a way for members of your community to send in messages from home too. This could be as simple as sending an email to your mailing list or posting on social media and asking people to send in their messages.
How to send postcards
Once you’ve started gathering postcards, use them to engage your MP and electoral candidates by sending them batches of the postcards so they can read the handwritten messages. You can also bring postcards you’ve collected to any meetings you have with them and hand them over directly.
At first, you may want to prioritise sending postcards to your current MP and candidates you think are most likely to sign the Warm Homes pledge. As you collect more postcards, you can send them on to more candidates.
You can also use the postcards more creatively, for example by sharing photos of them on social media (if you have permission to do so) and tagging candidates, or by creating a display of postcards at events.
Find out more about how to win political commitments in the run-up to next election, including other tactics you can use to persuade decision makers.
