Your July Ambassador Update

Hello,

Welcome to your July update. This was a big month for us! Parliament Day on 6 July officially marked the launch of our new SmokefreeUK campaign — to make sure the Government achieves a smokefree future and beats the nation's number one cause of cancer.

Campaigns Ambassadors across the UK have started meeting with MPs on the campaign's priorities, and it has been encouraging to see support grow within Parliament. Never underestimate your influence as a constituent! Our success so far demonstrates that, when we raise our voices, we can have a widespread impact.

Keep scrolling for your new SmokefreeUK toolkit and find out how you can get involved. And keep reading for more important updates from within your campaigning community.

Thanks for your continued support,

Lauren and the Cancer Research UK Campaigns Team

Reporting your campaigning actions

Traditionally, you've told us about your campaigning activity by email, or during informal chats. As Campaigns Ambassadors, you have a huge impact, and we want to be able to shout about what you've achieved more often and much louder.

So to help us do this, we're trying out a new self-reporting survey where you can easily let us know all the actions you've taken in a matter of clicks.

We'll send this in your e-update every month with all your new campaign actions included — so keep an eye out!

We hope you think this is a helpful new way of doing things, let us know your thoughts.

That's a wrap on Parliament Day 2022

On 6 July, Campaigns Ambassadors from all four nations across the UK met in Westminster for the first Parliament Day in four years. A jam-packed day of networking, skills development and influencing, as well as the official launch of our SmokefreeUK campaign. And despite a less-than-ideal political climate, Campaigns Ambassadors were able to have an incredible impact, advocating for policies to address — once and for all — the number one cause of cancer.

Thank you to all those that attended — we cannot express just how much we enjoyed being able to get together again. For many, life still isn't 'back to normal' and we missed many of your faces but we're looking forward to more opportunities that will bring us together in person soon.

Parliament now in recess

MPs began their annual summer recess on 21 July - neither the House of Commons or the House of Lords meets during this time. They'll return on 5 September, but don't worry, this isn't just a summer holiday. Part of the reason why recesses exist is to make sure MPs have sufficient time in their constituency so you'll still be able to ask them to join the growing community of Smokefree MPs.

Recess dates across the UK

• Scotland: 2 July to 4 September
• Wales: 18 July to 11 September
• NI: 2 July to 4 September