DPAC Press Release: Top Corrie stars Support Save ILF Campaign

For immediate release: 16 April 2014

Coronation Street stars support the ‘Save the Independent Living Fund’ Postcard Campaign.

Stars of Britain’s longest running soap joined disabled people in their campaign to Save the ILF(1).  The fund which provides support funding to almost 20 000 disabled people is to close in June next year the Government announced last month(2). See 
Stars such as Bev Callard, who plays Liz McDonald, former Red Dwarf actor Craig Charles who plays Lloyd Mullaney and Jack P Shepard who plays David Platt ans several other stars posed with oversized postcards produced by campaign organisers who include DPAC(3)  (Disabled People Against Cuts), GMCDP (4)(Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People), Inlusion London(5), Equal Lives(6) and others.

Despite having their original decision to close the fund over-turned at the Court of Appeal late last year(7), the Government has re-announced the closure following a new Equalities Analysis(8) – where officials admit levels of support cannot be maintained and some users may end up having to move into Residential Homes to have their support needs met. Funding will be devolved to Local Authorities for 1 year until 2016(9), but not ring fenced, meaning there is no guarantee the money will be spent providing support for users, or indeed any disability services at all.

DPAC member Paddy Murphy said ‘At an annual cost of just over £350m, this isn’t a hugely expensive fund to run. Users receive an average of just £337 a week to maintain their independence. The Government have admitted some will be forced to move into Residential homes, and others won’t get the level of support they receive now – some none at all. Local Authorities are seeing their budgets decimated, and their largest expenditure is on Adult Social Care, they simply won’t be able to afford to meet people’s needs. Disabled People will once again be forced to pay the highest price to fund the bailouts and rescue plans for the banks, which is the underlying justification for the cuts to public services.’

Editors Notes & contact details here 

For Carers Week 2014, Bradford Disability Services are doing what has never been done before for carers, they are taking over the Richard Dunn Sports centre for a full day and putting on a huge exhibition of the rewards, services and equipment that might make the carers role a little easier.  Carers play a huge role in the Bradford District, working behind the scenes to make sure their loved ones and friends have the life they deserve, and we want to say a huge THANK YOU!

The day has been planned so that the carer can get all the information they may need about the services from the council, voluntary organisations and other companies that will be holding stalls on day.  There are lots of activities, resources and projects around the Bradford District that support and reward carers, but we are frequently being told by carers “oh – I didn’t know about you/them/that!”  This event aims to let every carer who attends know about everything they can access.

But, we don’t just want a dull information fayre, so we have organised entertainment, fun activities, face painting and henna tattoos, focus groups where people can have THEIR say on services, a surgery for basic advice and some independent living equipment demonstrations!  And there is more to be confirmed…so watch this space!

If you want to book your place (either as a carer, a cared for person or an organisation) please follow the link below to the booking form.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D72BTKY