Hints on writing letters


If you decide to write a letter of complaint it is always better to mention something positive first before making your main point and to end on a benefit for the recipient. For example

Dear...

I really enjoyed visiting... there were so many activities on offer but I was so disappointed with the state of the toilets...

[then go on to describe the problems in a factual manner. Try and avoid emotive words like 'disgusting' or 'awful']

It would make the toilets so much nicer to visit if...

[make suggestions that can be acted upon. You are not going to get brand new state of the art toilet facilities in an old toilet block but you might get the locks screwed on properly, plenty of toilet roll or a hook on the door and they should be cleaned properly].

There are so many exciting things to do at... that it is such a shame that the... Is let down by the state of its toilets.

I am sure the... wants us to enjoy our visit and that the [company] understands that wellmaintained public toilets will encourage us to tell our family and friends about [the company]

Yours...

[Don't forget to include the address of the recipient and date - and of course your own address and name]


  • Out of hours workers: Where do the police go? Taxi drivers? Nightworkers? Pub visitors
  • Local places of interest and beauty spots - do they have toilets? Are toilets mentioned in their local brochures?
  • Health practitioners: Do you know your health visitor, chiropractor, homeopath? - will they support the campaign

DON'T FORGET!!!!

So that we can coordinate activities it is important that you keep us informed of your activities and either write to us at Gillian Kemp, Nowhere to Go, SCEDU, Unit 5, 53 Mowbray Street, Sheffield S3 8EN, email us at info@ theguttrust.org, labelling you email 'Nowhere to Go', .or bring your suggestions to the Gut Trust AGM on October 24th.


LAUNCH OF THE BTA PUBLIC TOILET CAMPAIGN 'WHERE CAN I GO?'


This exciting new campaign was launched at the British Toilet Association's conference in Stratford upon Avon on 16 September. The aim of the campaign is to raise the profile of the needs of those who have 'Nowhere to go'. We all want clean, safe, well maintained public toilets accessible to everyone but, as you may be aware, there is no duty for local authorities to provide public toilets nor is there a requirement for local authorities to provide a public toilet strategy. However, even though Government does not list public toilets as a major priority, the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee does consider the local community to have power.

So, what can we do? some suggestions:


  • Get to know your area. What public toilets do you have - or not? Have any been closed recently? If so why? Has there been any toilet talk in your local press?
  • Pledge support. Watch out for a special PLEDGE form becoming available shortly.
  • Inform as many people as possible of the Campaign
  • Take photos of good and bad loos - send them in to our website. Praise & Publish or Name & Shame
  • Contact your local Councillor: Does your Council provide clean, well maintained toilets - if not make your local councillor aware of this campaign. If they're good - or bad let us know. Attend councillor surgeries and explain your case
  • Contact your local MP. MPs will be on the lookout for votes. What is their opinion on public toilets - if/when they get in to power?
  • Where do you shop? Get your favourite stores on your side - it's beneficial to have customers in the area - and having toilets available keeps them there that bit longer
  • Leisure centres: What are the toilets like at your local leisure centre? Point out the benefits of good toilets.