Wed 17 April – join Bristol open meeting

A paper budget cut by scissors

Please join this timely online event organised by Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living (BRIL) — we’ll be speaking on the panel: Wednesday 17 April 2024, 6.30pm-9pm  Cuts, charges and co-production BSL interpretation provided * CC closed captions BRIL and supporters oppose the hated “Fair and Affordable Care” proposals by Bristol City Council, and the cuts budget … Read more

Bristol update: Hated “affordable care” policy is back — by the back door

Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living logo. BRIL in a circle.

We are among disability organisations working with Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living (BRIL), and supporting BRIL members who are facing the threat of being forced to live in a care home. Read BRIL’s latest statement about the budget agreed by Bristol City Council. BRIL’s response to the original consultation, including a legal opinion by Doughty St … Read more

Bristol: Stop the proposed “Fair and Affordable Care” policy

Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living logo. BRIL in a circle.

Open Letter sent from disability organisations 27 November 2023 (signatories updated 31 January To: Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol mayor@bristol.gov.uk Cllr Helen Holland, Cabinet member, Adult Social Care cllr.helen.holland@bristol.gov.uk Council officers: Mette.Jakobsen@bristol.gov.uk    James.Mahood@bristol.gov.uk    Hugh.Evans@bristol.gov.uk Emma Edwards, leader of the Green Group   Cllr.Emma.Edwards@bristol.gov.uk Cllr Jos Clark – leader of the Lib Dem Group  cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk OPEN LETTER … Read more

‘It’s a tax on disability’: rising UK social care costs force many into debt

Disabled people are paying “a tax on disability” by being forced to fund soaring care charges out of their benefits as the cost of living pushes care users into financial crisis . . . [WinVisible] said some disabled women are being coerced into sex by acquaintances after turning to them for care because they couldn’t pay care charges.

“87,000 people can’t keep up with care bills” 

Care charges. Chaminda Jayanetti writes: “Nearly 90,000 adult care users are behind on their care charge payments, with around one in four of all chargeable care users issued with reminder notices or more serious enforcement action.” Article on Open Democracy international news website. We’re quoted: [WinVisible] said care charges were a form of “violence against … Read more

Update: winning against care charges & discrimination

We’ve won some changes since Islington Tribune highlighted Fereshteh Khosroujerdy’s care charges and other discrimination against her as a blind woman needing specific support and accessible letters by email. Fereshteh says: “Islington Council has promised to review my case, reduce the care charges, backdate this and refund me the difference in cash. But we’re waiting … Read more

‘The cost of care has left me scared to shop’

Blind woman says 130 per cent charge increase means she is now frightened to spend money Shared from the Islington Tribune, Friday, 13th May — By Anna Lamche A BLIND woman facing “extortionate” fees for her care has said she fears going shopping, amid warnings that spiralling care charges are compounding the bills crisis for the … Read more

Local elections: press candidates about mothers and children, social care

Before the local elections on 5 May, we have a chance to press the candidates who want our votes, to commit to providing mothers and children with support so families can stay together – if they are elected.  It’s our chance to tell them that councils must stop targeting mostly working-class single mothers for “child … Read more

Podcast for IWD: disabled women talk about discrimination in social care

Many thanks to podcast host Don O’Neal and NaCSILS (Campaign for a National Care, Support and Independent Living Service) for inviting us to tell some moving personal stories.  Click here to listen to the podcast. Text version coming soon, linked on here. For International Women’s Day, Claire, Ebere, Fereshteh, Kate and Tracey, talk about: · … Read more

Care charges: Councils of despair

We helped with this article (below). Thanks to Private Eye and Heather Mills for publicising, Cheshire DPAC/Oppose Social Care Charging in Cheshire and Inclusion London for getting Councils to release figures on how many sick and disabled people they threaten with court. As it’s a paper magazine, here is the text for visually impaired readers: … Read more