Getting Involved

Membership

Membership of PIRU is designed for those who are in general sympathy with our work, wish to support and influence it, and might like to take-up some of the specific benefits offered.

Individual membership

Cost: £15 per annum standard (£5 or less for those on low incomes).

Benefits: a free copy of each of PIRU’s reports and investigations; free attendance at our seminars and conferences; some free campaigns and research advice and assistance; attendance at the AGM; and the opportunity to nominate someone for one of the two ‘individual member’ places on the board of trustees, and to vote for one of the candidates standing for one of these two places.

Corporate / group membership

Cost: £35 per annum standard (£20 or less for groups and organisations with a low income).

Benefits: two free copies of all PIRU’s reports and investigations; two free places at all our seminars and conferences; our research and campaigns services provided at 30% off (and, in some circumstances, free to groups with a low income); inclusion, if requested, in the contacts list on our web site; attendance at the AGM; and the opportunity to nominate someone for one of the two ‘corporate/ group member’ places on the board of trustees, and to vote for one of the candidates standing for one of these two places.

Right to reject a membership application

We would only reject an application for membership (or withdraw an existing membership) in exceptional circumstances. Where it is proposed to do so, the individual or group would be given due notice and a full explanation; would be informed of their right to appeal to the board of trustees; and the principles in our complaints policy (which has not so far been called upon) would be applied.

Participant Researchers

In support of a more participatory research model, we aim to ‘recruit’ a diverse (in terms of, for instance, biographies, current health, and ethnic self-identification or non-identification) team of ‘participant researchers’.

Each member will be offered training and support, and helped to research issues which are of particular salience to them, and of which they have, or will have, ‘direct’ experience. Someone, for example, might decide to keep a record of their experience of trying to obtain community care services. We will then assist the researcher in publicising, or otherwise making use of, their report; and will (with permission) integrate individual reports into more extensive research projects.

If you would like to know more about becoming a ‘participant researcher’, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Campaigns

From e-mailing your MP to organising an event, there are many and varied ways that individuals and groups can become involved in PIRU’s campaigning. You might, of course, want to suggest that we campaign on something we’re not campaigning on; or campaign differently on something that we are campaigning on.

Our forthcoming principal campaign will be ‘The Campaign for One Genuine Act‘.

Donations

All PIRU’s funds have, so far, come from it’s trustees. We believe that we have made good use of the limited sums available; with, for example, our last major report having cost £400 to produce; and making, we believe, an important contribution to the pressure for change.

We would, however, like to be able to do far more. We have, therefore, begun a number of project specific fund-raising initiatives; and, in particular, aim to raise £600 to spend on helping to bring about (through the Campaign for one Genuine Act) an historic shift in anti-discrimination legislation.

Please contact us for more information about making a donation.