Canvassing Exercise

Young People’s Committee

The aim of a canvassing exercise is to directly engage with residents of East Bergholt on
their doorstep as opposed to relying on attempting to invite families and parents to forums or
to the council meetings where they may not be able to/prioritise it and to better understand
their views, priorities, and ideas around specific questions laid out by the young people’s
committee.

1. Why a Canvassing Exercise Is Effective
– Direct engagement: Speaking face-to-face with residents builds trust and shows the
committee is active and listening.
– Inclusive feedback: It allows people who may not attend meetings, forums or
complete online surveys to have their say.
– Local insight: Conversations often highlight concerns or ideas that would not emerge
through formal consultation alone.
– Visibility: It raises awareness of the committee and demonstrates commitment to
community involvement.
– Overall, canvassing helps ensure that decisions and future initiatives are informed by
genuine local opinion on a wider scale.

2. Proposed Questions for Households
To keep conversations focused, respectful, and time-efficient, we propose using three clear
core questions, these questions should be decided by the YP committee. What is it we want
to achieve from this? It is important these questions are not loosely put together which could
result in some people taking up nearly all canvassing time discussing irrelevant points.

3. Use of a Calling Card (If No One Is Home)
If a resident is not home, a simple calling card should be left. This ensures the visit is still
useful and transparent. These cards can be cheap and easy to mass produce (see template)
The card should include:
A brief explanation of the canvassing exercise
The same three key questions, clearly printed
A contact email address where residents can respond to the questions in their own time and
therefore still be able to take part, this could be a direct email to the clerks?

4. Timing and Operating Approach
Weekday evenings are generally the most effective time for canvassing, as more residents
are likely to be home.
Weekend afternoons can also be used where necessary but are typically less reliable than
weekday evenings.
Canvassing should be planned, time-limited, and clearly identified as a committee-led
activity to maintain professionalism and comfort for residents hence the use of calling cards
on hand and clearly visible (see my example and template)
Clarity and consistency in how we operate will help ensure a positive response from the
community.

5. Team Structure and Coverage
The village should be divided into sections for ease of coverage.
Each section should be covered by a number of teams, ensuring:
Safety for volunteers
Consistency in messaging
Efficient coverage without duplication
Teams should be briefed beforehand so everyone is aligned on purpose, questions, and
conduct. I recommend we have a system in place clear mapped areas where routes/houses
can be ticked off.

Conclusion
A structured canvassing exercise offers a practical, low-cost, and effective way for the
Young People’s Committee and eventually the council to engage with residents, gather
meaningful feedback, and strengthen its connection with the community. With clear
questions, sensible timing, and an organised team approach, this exercise can provide
valuable insight to guide future work.