An online community factchecks FOI responses

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** WhatDoTheyKnow
+ Reddit
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** = a fact-finding mash-up
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THIS MONTH'S MUST-READ


** Setting our direction
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Cover of mySociety's strategy 2022-2027

Here at mySociety, we know where we're going, and how we're going to get there.

And now, so can you, because we've just published our organisational strategy!

Discover our vision for a transparent, resilient democracy — and how we plan to make that a reality in the face of the challenges of these times, like the climate emergency. Dip in for a quick and illuminating read at mysociety.org/strategy ([link removed]) .

HOW YOU'RE USING OUR TOOLS


** Under-qualified staff cover for doctors in NHS surgeries & hospitals
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Medical staff discuss x rays on a screen. Image via Unsplash by Accuray.

We were fascinated to see it unfold: a campaign using WhatDoTheyKnow alongside Reddit, to challenge responses to Freedom of Information requests.

PA Project Watch is a grassroots group of medical staff, concerned about the increasing usage of Physician Associates to cover shortfalls of fully-qualified doctors. When they received an FOI response telling them that PAs were not used in one hospital, they were able to ask the r/UKDoctors subreddit... members of whom just happened to work at the hospital in question. Get the full story here ([link removed]) .
A bridge over a reiver in Durham. photo via Unsplash by David Ross


** One good thing leads to another
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Fiona Dyer from Durham told us how her concerns around the climate crisis led her to volunteer for the Scorecards project ([link removed]) , helping to assess councils' Climate Action Plans.

But she didn't stop there! The knowledge and confidence she'd gained found her leading on another significant local climate action. To find out what that was, read Fiona's story here ([link removed]) .


** Would you rather these blog posts were videos? Audio?
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TikTok greenscreen video of Myf in front of a blog post We're experimenting a bit at mySociety, trying out different formats to see which ones best suit your needs. So, for the next few months, whenever we write a blog post, we're also recording a short video version as well. We're adding these to the blog posts, and collecting them together on YouTube ([link removed]) , too.

Not only that; we're putting the audio out ([link removed]) at the end of each month via the main podcasting platforms, in case you prefer to listen.

Again, this is a small experiment, so please do let us know ([link removed]) how you like to consume our news!
mySociety websites in a fan-shaped array


** Help us work towards a more resilient, transparent democracy
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At mySociety we're very busy all the time, making democracy more accessible to everyone, and providing the tools to help people play an active part in society.

If you can help us out, please do head to our secure donate page ([link removed]) . Every contribution helps us to work harder and faster towards a better, more inclusive society. Thank you.
FROM SOCIETYWORKS


** Lego, data, and closing
the feedback loop
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As you may have noticed, we're big on Open Data at mySociety — and the same goes for our commercial arm, SocietyWorks, too.

Head of Development Matthew enjoyed two days at the Open Data Camp unconference in Manchester last month. He's written it all up, together with some helpful images from the conference's graphic scribe ([link removed]) , in this post ([link removed]) .
TRANSPARENCY HAPPENINGS
A neon light in a darkened window, reading 'what's your story?'. Photo by Etienne Girardet via Unsplash


** Share your stories and get WhatDoTheyKnow Pro credit
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Are you using our WhatDoTheyKnow Pro ([link removed]) service to inform your newspaper stories, research papers or campaigns? We want to know!

Add a link from FOI requests on WhatDoTheyKnow Pro, and you'll get credit towards your subscription. Here are all the details ([link removed]) .
A group of people who run Access to Information sites


** The Access to Information community come together — IRL
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With so many Access to Information folks in London for the TICTeC conference, there was an unmissable chance to come together and discuss ... well, everything, really, from the many challenges of running an ATI site to the ways in which we can mutually support one another.

We've written a short summary of the conversations here ([link removed]) ; and if you'd like more detail, follow the link from that post to Matt Stempeck's in-depth one.

Meanwhile, here's a summary of everything our amazing European ATI partners have achieved this month ([link removed]) ... or watch Jen's video summary ([link removed]) . If you're on the fence about video posts, this might be the one to persuade you!


** You know us - but your friends and family might not
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Five mySociety services

We've made a bunch of simple graphics that help spread the word about what mySociety's services do.

As you're already a bona fide mySociety follower, we'd LOVE it if you could share these graphics — whether that be on social media, in a community newsletter, or printed out and pinned to a local noticeboard.

The graphics are all in this public folder ([link removed]) , and if you need help downloading them, instructions are here ([link removed]) . Thank you very much!

Also, don't forget to point friends, family — anyone! — to the mySociety Toolkit ([link removed]) where they can sign up to receive a series of emails explaining tips and tricks for getting the most from mySociety's services.


** What we're reading
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* Democracy Next ([link removed]) : How a permanent Citizens' Assembly in Paris passed a bill into law
* The Guardian ([link removed]) : ‘Building something better’: the UK residents retrofitting their homes amid the climate crisis
* A crowd-sourced Manual for MPs' Offices ([link removed]) , from Newspeak House
* Politico ([link removed]) : British MPs want to haul Elon Musk before parliament over riots
* For the young'uns: TedX London Democracy Bootcamp ([link removed]) (but hurry, applications close tomorrow)


** Help us send you the emails you want to read
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seven different people, representing different types of reader

We do a lot of different things here at mySociety, and we appreciate that not everyone will be interested in every single part of it.

So if you've got a minute, please tell us a bit more about yourself ([link removed]) , and we'll work towards sending you the stuff you really want to read.


** Follow mySociety
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Image credits: Medical staff - ** Accuray ([link removed])
; Durham Bridge - ** David Ross ([link removed])
; Neon light - ** Etienne Girardet ([link removed])