Write to your MP
Writing or emailing your local MP is one of the best ways to share your views and concerns.
Tips:
- Keep your letter or email short – maximum 250 words.
- Use the example below to help you.
- Always use a heading. For example, “We need a Dementia Action Plan now”.
- Make your most important point in the very first sentence.
- Then use the next two or three paragraphs to say why we need a Plan and what the Government needs to do to get a Plan in place.
- Include some of these facts about dementia’s impact in New Zealand
- Include the personal touch – how does this relate to you and your experience?
- Ask them to respond to you.
- If you are writing a letter to your MP, remember you don’t need a stamp to post it.
Example:
<Your address>
<Date>
Dear/Tēnā koe <Name>
We need a plan for dementia
I am writing because I am very concerned about dementia. Numbers affected by dementia are growing rapidly and Government is not doing anything to deal with the massive impact on families/whānau and our health system.
We know that the dementia sector has got so worried about dementia numbers and the lack of support and services that it has written a plan which could be used to deal with the situation.
<Then add some facts, e.g:>
- Almost 70,000 Kiwis are living with dementia today
- More than 170,000 Kiwis will be living with dementia by 2050
- Dementia impacts more women than men – around 30% higher
- The total cost of dementia to NZ is now around $1.7b and will reach around $5b by 2050
<Write something more personal – about how the dementia issue affects you and your experience.>
<Then finish with something like:>
Can you please tell me what you and your Party will do about a Dementia Action Plan?
Nāku, nā – Yours faithfully
Nāku iti noa, nā – Yours sincerely
Ngā mihi – Kind regards or thank you
Ngā mihi nui – Kind regards (with more emphasis on gratitude)
<Name>