Haringey People First / My Rights Feb 2015

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians. Following the last PB when Beverley informed the group about funding cut’s proposals the group were very worried about the effect of such cuts on clients. We wrote to Beverley, the commissioning manager and interim LD team manager. Only Beverley responded with some answers.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians We asked Beverley with all the experience she had of day centres what she had done to stress to decision makers what the effect of removing day centres and social workers would have on the LD community. This question was not answered.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians We also asked if advocacy would be provided to those within the day centres that would be affected by these cuts proposals and whether easier to read documents would be created. We thank Beverley for making sure this Advocacy was provided following our to her and we think LDX done this work very well.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians We also asked what would be done to make sure people do not lose their friends and what additional money or actions would all of a sudden make Haringey an accessible and opportunity filled place for persons with Learning Disability. Beverley offered no response to this at the time, but there has been talk of a neighbourhood connect service since and we want more information on how this would work.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians Our last question to Beverley was why did proposals to close 3 out of 4 day centres and to cut 25% of social work staff not appear in the consultation document sent out to the community? It was very poor and unfair to not have done this and makes people feel that the council are not conducting a fair consultation. Nobody has given a proper answer to this yet?

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians Haringey people first wanted to try and speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves and so each member of the group had a picture of them taken holding up a red card saying No to the cuts which was sent into the consultation process and to all councillors and local MP’s. The group received little/no responses/support from councillors and Mr Lammy, once again making them feel like with the half consultation document that their comments although being acknowledged are not being listened to.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians Members of the group have attended consultation events and council meetings to speak and stand up for those that will be affected by these cuts, we have tried our best to do this.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians Members of the group attended a surgery with Mr Morton, spoke to Mr Lammy on the street and phoned him also and wrote to all councillors. The lack of support and interaction from all has been disappointing and surprising to the group. Once again making us feel like the voices we are trying to raise are not important enough to make people think again about these proposals.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians We feel it is wrong that we are punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of the able, nobody chooses to have a learning disability, dementia, autism or other problems. Services being cut now were first funded for a reason, they were needed and are still needed. We think these cuts need to be cut.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians We also signed a petition which has been signed by nearly 7000 people opposing these cuts as a show of support for carers, support workers and of course fellow clients that will bare the brunt of these proposals.

Our vulnerable community in Haringey are being let down by those employed to protect them, there comes a time when those that are paid to represent us need to stand up with us and say “ no more”. Very few if any seem to have that desire. The value of peoples services is more important than ‘valuing people now.’ Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians

Transport for all The group also attended a TFL consultation event where members of the group spoke about the problems they faced when using buses and about TFL’s new bus stop design idea’s. Society is far from equal for persons with a LD, members of the group do not just want to complain about these services, they want to try and make things better aswell by making sure the voices of those with LD are heard.

Disability Hate Crime We continue to communicate with the police, we will not give up stressing the importance of disability awareness training and of them maintaining visits to LD day centres and venues whilst they remain open.

Some work, some play. We also had our Christmas meal and drink at the Goose pub in Wood Green.

Stop punishing the vulnerable for the mistakes of politicians. The group will be back in action on the 23 rd of February when we take part in a march to once again try and stop Haringey council from making a mistake by agreeing these cuts.

Quotes from the Day Centre clients LDX Advocacy consultation. I want to stay here. I love all the things I do here. I want to stay where I am. Being at home is like being in a cage. At home, no where else to go. It makes me feel unwanted and used. The staff mean a lot to me. I was very unhappy took 5 years to settle. I can get money out of my bank that can help them out? We chose the name of the centre ‘Always’ because we thought we would always stay there. Leave it alone