beta opinions & change

what is ashesandsparks.co.uk?

ashes & sparks is a web based system designed to capture your

opinions and create change.

We will achieve this by listening to, and acting upon, the opinions of

those who choose to express them and set the subjects in our online

surveys. We will forward on a summary of those opinions to the

organisations involved.

By tapping directly into how people view, see and hear the news about

them and the things that matter to them, organisations can improve

their business attitude and make better informed decisions.

Sharing your opinions will make a difference. Organisations are keen to

know how people are feeling and have to be listening or they will get it

all wrong.

So when something fires you up, remember don’t just sound off at the

television or down the pub, make your opinion count - make some

sparks!

why do we need ashesandsparks.co.uk?

Everyone has the freedom to express opinions through

personal blogs, news forums, phone ins, discussion boards

and a range of similar services. However, capturing those

views to make a difference is a huge task and even though the

voices might be getting louder or more numerous they are still

too scattered to be heard by those who might do something.

Charities, businesses, politicians and others have a

responsibility to listen to public opinion and act responsibly to

take real account of it and address issues of concern.

Only by aggregating public opinion and understanding the

origination of changes in public opinion, organisations and

individuals can know how to respond more decisively to make

appropriate changes in their own behaviour and attitudes.

Present survey type sites often focus on particular issues or

organisations. ashes and sparks is different; you can voice

opinions on anything topical - even things you hear from a

neighbour or a friend.

why should I take part?

We would all like to see our opinions taken into account.

Whether our concern is fuel prices, a local sports centre

closure, the behaviour of big business or global warming we

would like our views to have an impact.

The problem is that often our viewpoint is lost amongst the

shear volume of opinions shared.

ashes & sparks takes the raw data and looks for common

themes or trends within the results. Where there is clear

information showing dislike or approval for an organisation’s

actions they can be shown how to take your views into

account and make appropriate changes.

Your input is extremely important, it is what the whole project

is about. In recognition of that we are keen to put together an

appropriate level of reward for those who send in their views.

We would love to hear how you would like to be rewarded

for your time. Please email us at info@ashesandsparks.

co.uk with your ideas, whether you would like credits, to

be kept informed about the impacts that the site is having,

cash, something else or a combination of things and in what

quantities.

what will I need to do?

You will be asked to tell us what you think (as little or as often as you

like) about a range of topical items.

You can describe your own concern or comment on one or more of our

pre-loaded list of subjects.

Each entry will cover:

what you read / see / hear in the media / from •

friends / in passing

what you believe are the main details of the story•

what effect the story has on your opinions•

what effect the story has on your behavior•

to what degree you trust the media or other source•

to what degree you trust those involved in the •

story

any questions you would like answered about it all•

who is behind ashesandsparks.co.uk?

ashes & sparks is the brainchild of public relations consultant, Sue

Wolstenholme.

Sue runs a public relations company ‘Ashely PR’ from offices in

Cornwall, UK.

She is the current President of the European Public Relations Research

and Education Association (EUPRERA) and Chair of the Chartered

Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) qualifications awarding body.

Her role in advising clients often involves working with them to build

better relationships with the public.

Understanding the lack of quality information available to organisations

on public opinion she saw the need to develop a system that enabled

people to express their views on a range of topical items so that

something useful might be done.