What is Research & Campaigns?

Research and Campaigns is one the twin aims of our service. The stories our clients tell us provide Citizens Advice Plymouth with a unique insight into the problems faced by people in Plymouth and across the country. Our Research and Campaigns team analyse information to get a deeper understanding of issues and how they impact our clients. We then use our findings to campaign for positive change on behalf of our clients.
Campaigns often involve getting decision makers to change policies and practices that affect our clients.

How does it work?

We collect evidence and statistics anonymously so that individual clients are not identified and use this to produce reports. It helps us resolve issues at the source to prevent more people from experiencing difficulties.

We use the evidence we have of client’s problems to influence and make changes to new and existing laws.

• The report identifies improvements in services and changes in the law by:
• Highlighting issues to MPs, Councillors, and other policymakers
• Talking to our local council about their services and attending forums and meetings
• Discussing problems with organisations and companies to persuade them to improve their services
• Sharing evidence and ideas with national Citizens Advice and other LCAS to help with their campaigns

Local Research and Campaigns Work

We use our experience of people’s problems at a local level as well. We have recently completed an analysis of the cost of living crisis in Plymouth residents.