Local liaison groups
Some public services have liaison groups (eg, a local sheriff court users’ group) and you should investigate whether any such groups exist (and perhaps advocate for them if they do not). Consider becoming a member to gain credibility through networking, and to change policies and procedures that are unhelpful or oppressive. Some groups may have existed for a long time with a fixed membership – eg, solicitors, members of the probation service and the police. You may have to spend time securing membership, but this may be rewarded with a direct line of communication to powerful local decision makers.