Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Our Ambassador programme is all about our highly passionate supporters, our staff and our scientists coming together to create the right political environment to beat cancer. Due to the hard work of our Ambassadors, Cancer Research UK can more effectively influence politicians, engage the local media in our campaigns and ultimately save lives.

This volunteering opportunity is unique and empowering. You can be part of something big; with like-minded people in your local area and from around the country who are also passionate about beating cancer. It is a great opportunity to gain new skills in working with politicians and the media, as you’ll be influencing the people who make the decisions and really making the headlines.

Campaigning activities are varied and include a combination of the following:

• Influencing your local MP or parliamentary representatives, through letter-writing or meeting face-to-face at constituency ‘surgeries’, to flag up campaign issues and persuade them to take positive action on them
• Feeding back to the Cancer Campaigns team with the progress you are making
• Engaging with your local and regional press by writing letters to newspaper editors, securing coverage and interviews
• Lobbying in Parliament with fellow Ambassadors from all over the country

You might have done campaigning before, you might not have. Either way, the essential thing is your passion for raising awareness of cancer and sharing our vision for beating it together. As persuasive communicator with drive and focus, you’ll receive training to enable you to be even more effective in your role with us. For more information see the Role Profile.

• The Cancer Campaigns team are available by email and phone to answer any queries. The majority of the time we’ll be able to help directly, but we’ll also be able to put you in touch with the right people to help you out on specialist matters (e.g. our national and regional press teams)
• We’ll be in regular contact with news, updates, feedback and adequate notice of meeting dates so you’re in the loop
• You’ll get expert advice and training on how to lobby a politician and work with the media
• Prior to lobbying events and meeting with politicians we’ll provide briefings so you’ll know what to do and you’ll have key messages and the policy context
• When you attend our events we’ll provide refreshments and accommodate your dietary and access requirements. We’ll also help you out with things like travel arrangements and you will be able to claim for agreed, reasonable expenses so that you are not out of pocket

• When we launch new campaigns you’ll receive a step-by-step toolkit that will give you all the information on what’s happening, why we are doing it and the specifics of what we’re asking Ambassadors to do locally and/or nationally to drive the campaign
• You’ll receive regular email updates from the Cancer Campaigns team, giving you the insider ‘first to know’ information ahead of anyone else
• A quarterly newsletter (‘The Ambassador’) will be sent to you in the post, rounding up campaigning and public affairs work, upcoming Ambassador actions and highlights from the charity’s work at large, including research updates

• Ambassadors commit the equivalent of 1 to 5 days spread out across the year
• Once or twice a year you may need to travel in order to attend an event (e.g. a lobby)
• We understand if other commitments or unavoidable circumstances (such as ill health) mean your involvement is limited for a period – just let us know if that is the case
• No event or action is compulsory – we want you to do what you can and become as involved as you wish. Cancer Campaigns really appreciates the time our Ambassadors are volunteering and we want it to be an enjoyable experience for all involved!

• The Role Profile will help you to see if it is definitely a role you are interested in and have the skills and experience for
• Once you have read the role profile, to get a copy of the Application form contact a Campaigning Officer on the details below
• You will need to complete an Application form, telling us your motivation for becoming an Ambassador, your skills and experience, and how we can best support you in your involvement
• Because the role involves influencing your local MP or parliamentary representatives, Ambassadors need to be of voting age (18 years+)
• Send us your Application form together with the Equal Opportunities form. We will review your application and get in contact to let you know if you have been successful in your application
• If you have any questions about the application process don’t hesitate to get in contact

The Cancer Campaigns Officers are Lizzy Allen and Claire Donner. We can be contacted at campaigning@cancer.org.uk or you can phone us on 07795 334929