The annual tweetathon, which starts Wednesday 18th November, is where local government workers share with the rest of us what they do on an average day.
It's an opportunity for councillors and care workers, bin men and caretakers, firefighters and ambulance drivers, and everyone else involved in delivering frontline services to make their voices heard and share memorable moments.
The last few years have been demanding for local authorities. And things are only going to get more difficult as they are forced to make deeper cuts and find more elusive savings.
#OurDay, organised by the Local Government Association (LGA), is a chance for everyone to show who it is behind the statistics and how decisions taken in Whitehall trickle—sometimes pour—down to the frontline.
#OurDay will, perhaps, have a special resonance after the revelation that the prime minister is somewhat oblivious to the real world effects of his Government’s policies. In a letter to Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, David Cameron expressed his displeasure over proposed cuts to services.
‘I was disappointed’, he wrote, ‘at the long list of suggestions floated in the briefing note to make significant cuts to frontline services – from elderly day centres, to libraries, to museums. This is in addition to the unwelcome and counter-productive proposals to close children’s centres across the county.’
The LGA’s tweetathon is a good opportunity for those working in elderly day centres, libraries, museums, children’s centres, and many, many more places to walk the rest of us—particularly those in power--through a ‘typical’ day in their lives.
Last year 8,000 people got involved and sent 16,500 tweets. The LGA expects this year to be the biggest #OurDay yet, ahead of the chancellor's Spending Review. Let’s prove them right.
Below is a selection of last year’s tweets for inspiration:
#OurDay in LGA press office begins with a write-up of all #localgov related stories in the papers today for members pic.twitter.com/n7G4e6GoRd
— LGANews (@LGANews) November 26, 2014
This day more than any other it's worth remembering who has taken the biggest hit for deficit reduction #OurDay pic.twitter.com/JT05eiaF7c
— PETER FLEMING (@dmontfort) November 26, 2014
Our Enforcement Officer has been spotted helping a vulnerable resident cross the road #OurDay pic.twitter.com/44alZKtQrl
— Tower Hamlets (@TowerHamletsNow) November 26, 2014
Players, volunteers, coaches enjoying our weekly Leeds City Council visually impaired tennis sessions today #OurDay pic.twitter.com/2PRzKojmzO
— LeedsDisabilitySport (@LeedsDisSport) November 26, 2014
Helping people use the computers, just part of what we do #Brixton #OurDay @lambeth_council http://t.co/OjMKiXC7tW pic.twitter.com/R5wZ9RJWuM
— Brixton Tate Library (@brixtonlibrary) November 26, 2014
Area ranger Simon Ashby & countryside volunteers refurbish staircases on a footbridge at #Tollerton today #OurDay pic.twitter.com/zhF7FpsPMD
— North Yorkshire CC (@northyorkscc) November 26, 2014
Our #Community Partnerships Team & @Glosfire our helping @GDASS_ to spread the word about #16daysofaction. #OurDay pic.twitter.com/6FdURseSlI
— Cotswold DC (@CotswoldDC) November 26, 2014
It's not the nicest weather today but Kate is here come rain or shine stopping the traffic. #OurDay #Wigan pic.twitter.com/IDL0bu1gVX
— Wigan Council (@WiganCouncil) November 26, 2014 
