Advocacy, campaigns and community building
Image Credit: Mina Karenina, 2022, Hookers Against Hardship Campaign
Decrim now
At Decrim Now, Amy coordinated a national campaign, working with people with lived experience of sex work to successfully oppose proposed legislation changes to further criminalise sex work as part of the controversial Policing Bill. Countries and territories where similar legislation has been passed have seen a marked increase in rates of violence and stigma against sex workers.
Amy led an effective, evidence-based and co-designed national campaign, which included the publication of a widely published Open Letter, signed by NGOs, MPs, trade unions and public figures, alongside an accompanying e-action, encouraging constituents to write to their MPs.
The campaign was co-designed with sex workers and sex worker advocacy groups, LGBTQIA+, anti-trafficking, health and human rights organisations, academics, politicians and trade unions.
The Open Letter was signed by over 150 organisations, academics and public figures and 81.6% of Labour MPs were reached via a ‘mail your mp’ tool. It was also published in The Independent, Dazed and Open Democracy and widely shared on social media platforms, with historic statements of support released by the HIV, Aids and anti-trafficking sectors.
Signatories include the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, Amnesty International UK, Liberty, Sisters Uncut, Stonewall, GMB, UVW, UCU and CWU Unions, as well as MPs including Nadia Whittome and Zarah Sultana. Public figure signatories included musician FKA Twigs, writer Roxane Gay and comedian Sofie Hagen.
Motor neurone disease association
At the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, Amy chaired the Policy and Campaigns Advisory Group, co-designing national campaigns with people with lived experience of motor neurone disease, while utilising data to identify and develop priorities on behalf of local MND campaign groups, ensuring a place and asset based approach.
Amy successfully co-designed impactful national campaigns with members of the Policy and Campaigns Advisory Group, setting priority areas for national change including fast-tracked access to benefits for people diagnosed with MND, greater support for carers and increased research funding for MND treatment.
The Policy and Campaign Advisory Group acted a mechanism to ensure people living with or affected by Motor Neurone Disease were advising, steering and codesigning the charity’s policy and campaigns work. This ensured the voice of people living with motor neurone disease and those affected remained central to the charity’s work.
Amy managed and developed a network of campaigns volunteers, organising regular campaigns training, bringing in external speakers including politicians to help increase lobbying and advocacy skills, confidence and knowledge. By investing in campaigns volunteers, the organisation was better able to build support and amplify the voices of people living with and affected by MND.