Help Me Investigate is a website that helps people and journalists who want to investigate questions in the public interest.
The site was launched in July 2009 with funding from Channel 4′s 4iP fund and Screen West Midlands.
Investigations undertaken by users of the site include the uncovering of a £2.2 million overspend on Birmingham City Council’s website; false claims by publishers of a free newspaper; the worst places for parking fines; the real average cost of weddings; legal issues surrounding recording council meetings; police claims of sabotage against Climate Camp protesters; how much higher education costs the taxpayer; who is responsible for an advertising screen; does scrapping speed cameras save money? Varying availability of hormonal contraceptive on the NHS, and the allocation of Olympic torchbearer places.
Stories and information uncovered by the site have been used by news organisations including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Daily Mail, Stoke Sentinel, Birmingham Post, Birmingham Mail, Bournemouth Echo, Caledonian Mercury, Der Tagesspiegel, the Health Service Journal, BBC Radio WM and BBC Radio 4.
In January 2013 Help Me Investigate worked with the Birmingham Mail to launch the UK’s first regional newspaper datablog: Behind The Numbers.
The site was conceived by Paul Bradshaw, developed with Nick Booth and built by Stef Lewandowski. Journalists involved in the site include Heather Brooke, James Ball and Colin Meek.
In 2010 the site was shortlisted and highly commended for Multimedia Publisher of the Year in the NUJ’s Regional Media Awards, and won ‘Best Investigation’ in the Talk About Local/Guardian Local awards.
In February 2011 the code for the original site was released under an open source licence to allow anyone to install their own crowdsourcing platform.
A second version of HelpMeInvestigate.com now focuses on supporting a network of community editors who focus on specific issues. These currently include:
- Help Me Investigate Health
- Help Me Investigate Education
- Help Me Investigate the Olympics
- Help Me Investigate Welfare
- General tips on investigative techniques, on the site blog.
You can follow us on Twitter @helpmeinvestig8 or specific sites @HMI_health, @HMIwelfare, @HMIeducation and @HMIolympics, as well as our automatic aggregator of investigations around the web @HMInetworks.
If you want to get involved in any of these projects – or start a new one – email paul@helpmeinvestigate.com
If you are conducting research into the site, please check our page on Frequently asked questions and research.
BREAKING NOW!
What solicitors are describing as the biggest POLICE CORRUPTION SCANDAL to hit Bristish Policing since WW2.
http://www.real-whitby.co.uk/the-worst-case-of-corruption-in-the-history-of-the-british-police-force
http://www.real-whitby.co.uk/nigel-ward-open-letter-to-nicholas-long-independent-police-complaints-commissioner
Help PLEASE!
I am looking for a journalist to write up and publish the story of the abuse my elderly mother is suffering at the hands of corrupt police officers and social workers.
It has been the subject of questions in Parliament and we would now like to get the story in the main stream press.
For more information, please see:
http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/proper-delegation-please-not-abdication/
And google:
“The Abuse of Grandma B”
Dear sirs,
I also believe that it is a good thing to investigate in the public in a (socalled), democratic society.
How about raising the stakes and investigate situation like I find myself in. The unlawful deportastion of a British citizen: through unscrupulous means, set out by the UKBA and other agncies in a conspiracy to undermine a ‘ Ruling’, made by lord Justice Hooper, in the “Full Court”, of criminal appeal, on the 04 April, 2006
Then you could really be recognised for being a real champion of Justice for the people.
yours fathfully,
C. A. Cross
Is Yellow Pages directory listing really worth the price anymore? I know the print directory barely gets used…just wondering if the online directory is worth the price tag
I made a Freedom of Information request to Harrogate Borough Council asking if HBC were republican as a columnist in the Harrogate Advertiser stated that they had notorious republican tendencies. I e-mailed my MP he said he had not seen the comment but he was not a republican. I e-mailed the leader of the council but he has not replied. So where do I get this information from? As it will affect mine and a number of other people in the way that we vote.
Can you help?
A Question how did the system work ,which typle of people where nominated to be a olympic torch bearer for you city ?
There were a number of campaigns, but all people were supposed to fit the criteria of youth, personal best and/or contribution to the community. Guidance was given not to select executives.
Within particular campaigns, more specific criteria applied – e.g. the Get Set Network torchbearers had to be 12 during the relay. Future Flames emphasised particular types of contributions by young people. Samsung and Lloyds TSB talked about community more. Live Positively had an emphasis on health and the environment.
90% of places were supposed to be available to the public and 50% going to young people aged 12-24. In reality, only 75% were available through public campaigns and the rest were allocated through internal channels. Only 32% are aged under 25.
I need to investigate how to make a complaint against a headmaster of a school and the governing body of the school.
Who does a headmaster and governing body of a school answer to if they have made a decision about changing an employee’s contract without notifying or agreeing it with the employee first?
This sounds like employment law rather than an issue of line management accountability. Or, put another way, they would be accountable through the law. Other avenues might include a teaching union.
Hi
one member of BT engineers say I have a problem with my phone line another says I don`t
people have been trying to contact me but without success this has been going on for 5-6 years I can not get any help with this
I strongly believe those involved in ‘Information Operations’ in the UK are directing radiation at people. Beacuse it is invisible most of them have no idea there is something suspect. But the money they are spending on such technology runs to tens and tens of millions per annum. It is considered a form of Electronic Warfare.
I am pursuing this through FOI here:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/use_of_directed_energy_devices_i#outgoing-228948
I have a couple other FOIs for info relating to a couple of the relevant companies.
I could really do with some investigative assistance. I couldn’t overstate the seriousness and scale of this.
See the above website link and drop me a message through that if your willing to assist or have questions.
Hello,
I am writing to ask for your assistance in a matter that was bound by the Official Secrets Act that has been maliciously leaked to my former employer which has led to them terminating my contract of employment with them.
Between 2007 and 2009 information was wrongfully and maliciously leaked to the catering company that supplies the catering for the British Army at Wellington Barracks in Victoria, and Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, London.
I asked the Army to kindly investigate this problem in line with their Equality and Diversity rules. The Army investigated it, but, refused to disclose the findings to me. This information was leaked to my last employer, and, a site manager within that employment chose to disclose it to the company’s client; a gigantic engineering firm
The link to the information I have requested by way of the freedom of information is as follows: http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/malicious_abuse_of_authority
I would be most grateful for your assistance on this matter as I have lost a number of jobs because of it.
Sincerely,
Yinka Oyesanya.
Our Freeholder at Trafalgar Court in Mundesley has left the building in ruin since 1999— we now know why because Norfolk Council had, in fact, given London Land Securities 100%(costing around £250,000) council tax exemption on their 24 flats under the name of corporate closure — we have found out that London Land Securities of Tudor Road Hampton have been, in fact, running a Rachman style operation not just at Trafalgar Court but also Radipole Road in Fulham plus Daleham Gardens in Hampstead — can anyone tell me of any more scams with LLS? Youtube video belo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNfUBcQBpZA
Thanks – I’ll put the word out to the HMI network although I can’t guarantee anyone will follow this up. If you’re interested in writing a piece about how you found out that information that will help others get involved.
I’m not able to communicate well. but I am curious as to why the comments have stopped, is the site inactive now please?
oops – just noticed – I was reading it the wrong way.
Is anyone here able to organise an investigation into cowboy dentistry in the East coast of Scotland?
I’ve worked ‘on the inside’ and have now left the profession as I am simply disgusted by what is going on. A high member of the primary care trust (also a practice owner) seems to condone/encourage the shockingly poor treatments.
Any ideas?
Thanks – I’ve passed this onto the editor of HMI Health.
Is there a similar organization in the US? Children are being ripped from the arms of responsible parents here as well in huge numbers with massive rights violations.
There’s Spot.us?