Consumer Action 2009

 

The things we buy in the shops, the services we use whether in a hospital or a school are central to our lives. This award is for campaigners who are fighting to get a fair deal for all.

This award is sponsored by Which?

Winner

Tom Royston

‘Hung Up: the cost of contacting government from a mobile phone’, Leeds Citizens Advice Bureau

Tom works on the ‘Hung Up’ campaign which highlights the high cost of phoning 0800 government numbers from mobile phones.  Tom claims that half of CAB clients have no landlines and therefore face charges when calling what are meant to be freephone numbers. The campaign has been successful in gaining the support of their local Leeds MP, who is raising the issue in the House of Commons. Tom has also had positive responses and interest from MPs.

Finalists

Lynn Scott

‘Glasgow School Closures Campaign’

Lynn is a parent at Barmulloch primary school, Glasgow. Glasgow City Council voted for the closure of 25 schools and nurseries and Lynn is campaigning against this decision, which she feels will devastate local communities.  Lynn believes the Council’s process was undemocratic as 95% of consultation responses opposed the closures.  The group have met with the Scottish Parliament who have shown support.

Stephanie Wood

‘School Food Matters’

Stephanie is campaigning for every child to enjoy fresh sustainable food at school and for them to understand where their food comes from.  Stephanie canvassed local authorities in London to look at the way they source food for school meals and is promoting food education through cooking, growing and farm visits.  Stephanie has teamed up with Richmond Borough Sustainability Unit and is the Food and Drink Doorway leader for Sustainable Schools, which has helped her to access schools, head teachers and council officials.

Award judges

Tanya Heasman

Tanya is Joint Managing Director of System Concepts, an independent management consultancy providing risk management and user experience services to a wide range of public and private sector organizations. She was elected to the Council of Management of the Consumers' Association (now Which?) in 1997, and held the Deputy Chair of Council between 2003 and 2009. She was appointed to the Which? Ltd Board in 2008. She held a position as a lay representative on the Food Standards Agency Research Advisory Committee in 2002. She holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from London Business School, an MSc. in Ergonomics from London University and an M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University. She has two small children and in the little time that is left enjoys reading, scuba-diving, playing bridge, walking and skiing.

Nick Partridge

Sir Nick Partridge has worked for Terrence Higgins Trust since 1985 and was appointed its Chief Executive in 1991. Over the past 24 years, Sir Nick has been a consistent voice in the media coverage of AIDS and sexual health in all its aspects from health promotion, social care and advocacy through to research and treatment issues.

Terrence Higgins Trust has negotiated 26 mergers with other charities over the past ten years and now mobilises over 1,000 volunteers and 350 staff, providing a wide range of sexual health and HIV services. Sir Nick is Deputy Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS (EAGA), which advises Ministers and the Chief Medical Officers and a member of the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV.

In health research, Sir Nick is Chair of INVOLVE which promotes patient and public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research. He is also Deputy Chair of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, which aims to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research.

Rebecca Smithers

Rebecca has been consumer affairs correspondent of The Guardian since 2006. She was previously the paper's transport correspondent and also wrote on education for nice years. She is governor of a North London secondary school.