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Stories moderation
The 'Stories' tool will be moderated by colleagues in Cheshire West and Chester Council communications team during working hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm). Once you have submitted a story, we will aim to check it in 2-3 working days. You will receive an email when it has been published. If your story does not meet our content guidelines, you will receive a follow-up email to let you know what you can do to make it ready for Inspiring change together.
What are ‘Stories’ for?
Inspiring change together is a platform where people can share their own experiences and stories, in a positive space, to help and inspire others. When creating a story, you should consider why someone might be interested in the information you are providing. Put yourself in the place of the reader and ask yourself whether this information is relevant to the cost of living, and whether it will be useful for the person reading it. Below are some examples of the content that is and is not appropriate for Inspire.
What should a story look like?
We recommend that you keep your story to around 200-300 words and include a photo or video with it. Please make sure you have the permission of anyone in the photograph or video for it to be shared on an online public platform. Please do not provide people's personal information without their consent.
Yes, suitable for Inspire
No, not suitable for Inspire
Hints or tips on how to save money, for example on your energy bills
Advice on how to manage a budget or cook an affordable recipe
Recommendations for places people can go for affordable food, clothing, fuel, and other necessities – through real life experiences
Discounts and savings, for example on restaurants, holidays, or even prescriptions
A blog about your experience of accessing a Council or community-sector service that helped you, to reduce the stigma around accessing support and encourage others to reach out
Your experience of overcoming difficult circumstances to inspire others who might be struggling in a similar way
If you are involved in a charity or other community-sector organisation, you can share the work you are doing and the support you offer to local people
This is not a space for criticism and complaints. It should be a positive space where you can inspire and support other residents and get advice and guidance from others. If you would like to make a complaint, you should visit our main website
While we will cover current and new sources of support, this platform is not designed to show all of the emergency support that is available to residents in need. If you require help, financial or otherwise, please visit our cost of living webpage or main website
If you are promoting the work of a community organisation, please make sure that the information will be useful for residents as well as advocating for the work you do
Financial hardship can be a sensitive subject. When creating content, take care to avoid language that might be too strong or might cause offense. Anyone can face financial hardship, so language should not be exclusionary or limiting
It’s important to note the following, when creating content for Inspiring change together.
Content should not be politically biased or appear to be supporting any political party.
Content should not include language that would discriminate individuals on the grounds of any of the following protected characteristics, as outlined in the Equality Act 2010: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Content should not be written in a way that could be damaging to the reputation of the Council.
Content should not contain language that could be deemed offensive by another person or group
Content should not name or include a photograph of an individual unless it is appropriate to the story and is with the prior, written permission of the named person.
Content should not include information that could be used to identify either yourself or another person unless it is appropriate to the story and is with the prior, written permission of the named person.
Content should not be linked to any inappropriate, offensive or illegal material on a third-party website, social media post, blog etc.
Content should always remain on topic and stay within the boundaries of the subject matter.
Using clear, plain English
As a Council, we aim to use plain English in everything we write. Plain English is a way of writing that communicates information clearly and to the point, so that everyone can understand it easily. Here are some tips for writing in plain English to make your content accessible:
Never use a long word if a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out.
Break up long sentences into more manageable chunks – shorter sentences are easier to understand.
Make your tone friendly and avoid language that might offend people.
Use everyday language and not technical language or jargon.
Be concise and to the point.
Use subheadings to break up your writing and make it easy for readers to find the information they are looking for.
Never write a word in ALL CAPS as this is the equivalent of shouting and can cause offence.
Stories moderation
The 'Stories' tool will be moderated by colleagues in Cheshire West and Chester Council communications team during working hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm). Once you have submitted a story, we will aim to check it in 2-3 working days. You will receive an email when it has been published. If your story does not meet our content guidelines, you will receive a follow-up email to let you know what you can do to make it ready for Inspiring change together.
What are ‘Stories’ for?
Inspiring change together is a platform where people can share their own experiences and stories, in a positive space, to help and inspire others. When creating a story, you should consider why someone might be interested in the information you are providing. Put yourself in the place of the reader and ask yourself whether this information is relevant to the cost of living, and whether it will be useful for the person reading it. Below are some examples of the content that is and is not appropriate for Inspire.
What should a story look like?
We recommend that you keep your story to around 200-300 words and include a photo or video with it. Please make sure you have the permission of anyone in the photograph or video for it to be shared on an online public platform. Please do not provide people's personal information without their consent.
Yes, suitable for Inspire
No, not suitable for Inspire
Hints or tips on how to save money, for example on your energy bills
Advice on how to manage a budget or cook an affordable recipe
Recommendations for places people can go for affordable food, clothing, fuel, and other necessities – through real life experiences
Discounts and savings, for example on restaurants, holidays, or even prescriptions
A blog about your experience of accessing a Council or community-sector service that helped you, to reduce the stigma around accessing support and encourage others to reach out
Your experience of overcoming difficult circumstances to inspire others who might be struggling in a similar way
If you are involved in a charity or other community-sector organisation, you can share the work you are doing and the support you offer to local people
This is not a space for criticism and complaints. It should be a positive space where you can inspire and support other residents and get advice and guidance from others. If you would like to make a complaint, you should visit our main website
While we will cover current and new sources of support, this platform is not designed to show all of the emergency support that is available to residents in need. If you require help, financial or otherwise, please visit our cost of living webpage or main website
If you are promoting the work of a community organisation, please make sure that the information will be useful for residents as well as advocating for the work you do
Financial hardship can be a sensitive subject. When creating content, take care to avoid language that might be too strong or might cause offense. Anyone can face financial hardship, so language should not be exclusionary or limiting
It’s important to note the following, when creating content for Inspiring change together.
Content should not be politically biased or appear to be supporting any political party.
Content should not include language that would discriminate individuals on the grounds of any of the following protected characteristics, as outlined in the Equality Act 2010: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Content should not be written in a way that could be damaging to the reputation of the Council.
Content should not contain language that could be deemed offensive by another person or group
Content should not name or include a photograph of an individual unless it is appropriate to the story and is with the prior, written permission of the named person.
Content should not include information that could be used to identify either yourself or another person unless it is appropriate to the story and is with the prior, written permission of the named person.
Content should not be linked to any inappropriate, offensive or illegal material on a third-party website, social media post, blog etc.
Content should always remain on topic and stay within the boundaries of the subject matter.
Using clear, plain English
As a Council, we aim to use plain English in everything we write. Plain English is a way of writing that communicates information clearly and to the point, so that everyone can understand it easily. Here are some tips for writing in plain English to make your content accessible:
Never use a long word if a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out.
Break up long sentences into more manageable chunks – shorter sentences are easier to understand.
Make your tone friendly and avoid language that might offend people.
Use everyday language and not technical language or jargon.
Be concise and to the point.
Use subheadings to break up your writing and make it easy for readers to find the information they are looking for.
Never write a word in ALL CAPS as this is the equivalent of shouting and can cause offence.