Research & Campaigns

What we do

Every day, we hear about the challenges people face. By gathering and analysing this information, we identify common patterns that point to wider, systemic issues: from housing pressures to gaps in local services.

We use our evidence to:

Research issues: Explore the root causes behind recurring client problems.
Inform decision-makers: Highlight where policies or practices may be creating unintended harm.
Campaign for change: Advocate for practical improvements to laws, guidance and service delivery.

Our Projects

Research

Our evidence comes directly from real people’s experiences. This evidence forms a strong foundation for change. Because it is grounded in lived experience and real casework data, it provides credible, hard-to-ignore insight for policymakers.

Campaigns

We have unique insight into the issues affecting people in Bristol and their communities. Our role is not only to provide advice, but to use what we learn to improve the systems that shape people’s lives.

Effective campaigning can improve policies, challenge unfair practices, and influence legislative change. By addressing root causes, not just individual cases, we aim to create lasting improvements that benefit both our clients and the wider community.

We work collaboratively with:

MPs and councillors
Service providers and partner organisations, such as Bristol Mind, Macmillan Cancer Support
Other advice agencies and charities

Get involved

Support a campaign

Some of our campaigns rely on public support. This may involve sharing experiences, responding to surveys, or supporting petitions. We share opportunities to get involved as they arise on our social media. Give us a follow!

Volunteer with us

Join our Research & Campaigns team. We welcome volunteers with experience or interest in:

Research and analysis
Advocacy and campaigning
Public policy

Together, we can turn evidence into meaningful change.

Volunteer with us

Meet the team

John Alwyine-Mosely

I have been involved in campaigning, research and social policy for most of my professional career, from homelessness, elder care, childcare, play, early years and school education. After my BA in Politics and Sociology, I trained as a community social worker – developing preventive services before doing an MSc in Applied Social Policy. I then trained and worked as a Lecturer before working with various national organisations and government departments, and agencies on research and service design projects. I was a Bristol CA volunteer back in the 80s, working as a housing and benefits adviser as well as some policy work. I always said when I retired, I would come back, so I did as a generalist adviser first and then as an immigration adviser before taking over the Research and Campaign lead in 2023

Kathy Eastwood

Working on resolving recurrent issues that impact peoples daily lives, is what motivated me to join the Research and Campaigns team. It felt like a good fit with my previous working life in policy and research roles.

Nick Holden

Postgraduate in English/Creative Writing, working on the Research and Campaigns team since mid-2025.

Specialising in data, I study policy-driven campaigns across a network of over 300 independent CA charities, and collate their impactful achievements, to be used by councillors for addressing crucial areas of social-policy in Bristol.

Matthew McConkey

Leading on the ‘Storytellers’ project, I’m working to bring people’s lived experience into our research and campaigning. My understanding of the power of stories comes from experience as a writer and playwright.