Help us to raise awareness with policymakers and our elected representatives about genetic haemochromatosis by writing to them. Our guide has loads of tips and ideas, plus templates that make writing quick and simple.

As a charity we work with policy-makers and elected representatives to advance the cause of people affected by genetic haemochromatosis.

In 2019, we formed a new, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Genetic Haemochromatosis to advance discussion of the condition amongst legislators and policymakers.

The Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group is Rt Hon Sir John Hayes CBE MP, explains the importance of raising awareness in the video below.

Write To Your MP or Other Elected Representative

Following the inaugural Westminster Hall Adjournment Debate on GH held in July 2019, we continue to encourage our members to get involved in writing to their MP (or other elected representative) to raise awareness of the condition.

How to contact your MP

Members of Parliament are busy people, especially at the moment. So here are some tips for grabbing their attention and getting them involved with our work to improve the lives of people affected by genetic haemochromatosis. It really does make a big difference to our work and ability to help people.

Step 1 – find your Member of Parliament

You may already know who your MP is, but if you’re unsure, the Westminster Parliament  website has a handy way of finding your MP, checking their voting record and seeing their interests. Simply click this link https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/ and type in your postcode or location.

Step 2 – tell your story – how have you or a loved one been affected by genetic haemochromatosis?

Think about how you were diagnosed, what symptoms you had, how it has affected you. Don’t be afraid to share your own story or how haemochromatosis has affected you and your family.

Keep it short and factual, but don’t hold back on explaining the real impact that the condition has had. This is the best way to get an MP’s attention and ensure you get a personalised and helpful response from them.

Step 3 – write to your MP

Politics is for everyone. Anyone can write to their elected representative and ask them to get involved. Here are a few tips to help your letter get noticed – and acted on!

Tip 1 – use one of our template letters for impact

We’ve drafted a couple of letters that you can download and customise. This simplifies the process of writing to your MP and makes it a quick process, just 5-10 minutes and you’re done!

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales

This letter is a great starting point, contains all the key points plus space for you to customise and tell your own story/experiences.

Write to your MP - invite them to the APPG

If you live in Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland, use this letter template. It contains specific information that is of interest to elected representatives in Northern Ireland. It contains all the key points plus space for you to customise and tell your own story/experiences.

Write to your NI MP - invite them to the APPG

Tip 2 – write a letter, don’t send an email

MPs have teams of people running their offices. Their staff are more likely to sit up and respond to a good old-fashioned letter, handwritten or typed/printed and sent to the MP at Westminster in an envelope with a stamp. Emails are much less effective, so send a real handwritten or printed letter if you can.

Tip 3 – use a bright coloured envelope

This is a pro-tip for the passionate letter writer! MPs receive hundreds of letters every week, so you need a way of standing out. Coloured envelopes (A5 or smaller) are a simple way of getting noticed – and they only cost a second class stamp to deliver! Buy some coloured envelopes from your local stationery shop or online (eg Amazon smile – C5 coloured envelopes) or use traditional white/manilla envelopes if you have some to hand.

You could also write your message in a  blank or ‘Thank You’ card to really get their attention!

Tip 4 – tell your MP your story for added impact

We all respond to a human story – MPs need to hear just how haemochromatosis affects people day-to-day as they are unlikely to have any direct personal experience of their own. So, tell your MP how you have been affected by genetic haemochromatosis. It doesn’t need to be much or too long; keep it friendly and factual.

Tip 5 – be clear about what you are asking for

Get to the point. Make it easy for the recipient to understand at a glance what you are asking for.

Step 4 – tell us, so we can follow-up

Finally, help us to campaign effectively. Let us know you’ve written to your MP, so we can follow up with them. It’s easy to tell us, just go to this link and fill out the quick survey – it will take 1-2 minutes to do. And if you do get a response from your MP, let us know by emailing a copy to us at [email protected]