Hargreaves House Respite Home
 

The County last month voted to close 2 of 8 this year with 2 further closures next year to save £3.5m. Disabled childrens parents are campaigning desperately to keep these facilities.

I saw in the paper my great friend leading the campaign with Tory Councillors holding a large banner. Rather surprising as as a County Councillor he voted to close respite centres and pass the current budget.

However he has told angry parents he is acting as a District Councillor opposing the cuts.

A vigil was organised by residents for last Thursday. The Conservative protest picture was taken in advance and sent to the media with no one else present. Particularly the organisers and disabled children affected.

Why does he do such things? Doesn't he realise he'll be found out? One parent who did catch him blasted him for it. It gives every elected member a bad name.

Re: Hargreaves House Respite Home
 

As someone who was unable to go to the public event on Saturday morning I attended the vigil last Thursday. Or at least I thought I did, the photo in the paper less than four hours later implied that the opposition members didn't turn up.

The (daylight?) vigil was moved twice and probably rubbed many parents up the wrong way for completely stealing the media limelight. In retrospect I'm almost sorry that I went because the whole thing seemed to be more about publicity for councillors than the respite centre. However, one of those present got a monumental public roasting for seemingly doing a u-turn and jumping on the bandwagon so it was worth it for that alone.

I hope that the Saturday morning event was more successful for their cause, if the respite centre remains open then it is primarily down to the efforts of the parents and public.

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what a ****** he is

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Name that ******.:D

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Uncle Fester, the so called 'leader'

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There was a really good turnout Ken.

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Fantastic, good luck to all those who have campaigned for their respite centres.

I've been approached by quite a few residents who have explained what an invaluable resource they are and so I fully support their petition. One gentleman told me that they had been offered money to cushion the blow of closure but he said quite emphatically that they don't want money, they want the time that Hargreaves House gives them.

The councillors who voted to shut two of them down should at least have the good grace to admit they made an error of judgement. Admitting to residents that you have changed your mind based on the weight of evidence presented to you goes down far better than pretending you were in favour all along.

Or is that just my naivety at work again?

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I think some people on here know more than they are letting on ;)

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As I understand it, public expenditure is being cut back to 2005 levels.

In 2005 there was enough money in the pot to run Hargreaves House and all the other care homes.

So by cutting spending on care homes, what new things is the Council doing now that it wasn't doing in 2005 that means the care homes have to close?

Dare I say, increased salaries for backroom staff, more money spent on spin to achieve ludicrous "Excellent" badges, and most important of all, Councillors expenses.

After all, unlike the residents of Hargreaves House, it seems, Councillors "have to live!"

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Hmmmmm I would say write a letter to the local press. But no doubt the Observer got bunged cheap rent in the market hall for biase.

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If you think you know something, why not say it, rather than just give a veiled hint?

After all you're unlikely be censored.

:rolleyes:

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If respite care is removed from these children, which currently allows them to function as a family unit, and the children are forced to live in full time residential care homes, no savings will be made at all. Closing these units is a false economy.

Don't let cash cuts ruin my son's life | Accrington Observer - menmedia.co.uk

As some feared, the cuts seem to be hitting the most vunerable members of society hardest, leaving the fat cat bankers etc. free to carry on living off the fat of the land, whilst some are left with the scrag end.

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I censor myself all the time :D:D

My comment was what I think. I think some people who have posted on here know more than they are saying.

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Fair enough.

Takes all sorts.

Personally I never waste my time being cryptic.

If I know something, that I think is relevant, I'll say it.

;)

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Smoke and mirrors, it's all the rage.

If it's all the same to you I'll avoid that particular brand of politics and leave it to the professionals.

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Thats what I did ;)

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No.

You posted you 'think'.

Meaning there's some self doubt.

If I know something, and it has any relevance, I say it.

Otherwise I'd keep my gob shut, and not waste my time being coyly cryptic, by not adding any facts to the discussion.

Advice I slavishly follow.

Put up, or shut up.

Re: Hargreaves House Respite Home
 

please can as many people as poss sign the petition

Your Council

it is to try and stop respite homes be closed we parent carers really need this service,not be OTT but disabled children will end up in fulltime care if we lose this service when all the families need to keep their child within the family home is a break every now again from our caring role,having a disabled child impacts on every member of the family

huge thanks to all who sign the petition and please pass on the link on :)

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Saturday's protest made national headlines, and highlighted the need for respite care, if local families are to carry on living as one unit.

BBC News - Protest over Lancashire respite centre cuts

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I went down with my lad on Saturday but we missed the protest, we got down around 1.30 but could not see anyone there then. However i have already signed the epetition on Lancs CC website to protest against the closure.

The problems are i'm afraid that the majority of people do not have anyone with Disabilities in their lives so dont really appreciate or understand just what its like for Disabled people and their families and carers. Hence whenever issues of cuts to services conected with disability are highlighted, there is rarely a large enough groundswell of support to make enough impact.

Carers of disabled people really need a break, because the care is 24/7 and it doesn't ever end. Disabled Children become Disabled Adults and if anything their care needs & those of their families become even greater as the years go by. The effect on families of providing a "lifetime" of care is great indeed and often results in illness to those family members too.

Even if things prove successful in the Council looking again & not closing this centre, you can be sure they will probably earmark another for closure & see which meets least resistance!

Its all levels of care for Disabled & Vulnerable people that are being cut, as indicted in the article below, but as i say there arn't enough people with a loud enough voice to have any real impact, or at least that the way it seems, i'm hoping that may change, but i'm not optimistic i'm afraid.Social care cuts are already biting, say charities | Society | The Guardian

Best Regards - Taggy

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Britcliffe is a complete and utter arsehole, is he paid a back hander for the number of times his picture appears in the local rags each week, he disgusts me, this is a very important protest and all he cares about his getting his fat ugly mush in the paper again, shame on you fatty.

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Hi there, my first post here so be kind :)

Ive been involved with the campaign for Hargreaves from the start (Im the gobby mum whos always in the Observer on about it!!). Ive been overwhelmed by the level of support we have recieved from the people of Hyndburn. Councillors have been fantastic, from collecting signatures on petitions, handing out flyers to asking questions I cant get answers to! I have to admit I was concerned at one point that 'some' would rush in and claim the hard work from us but we have been assured that wont happen.

I keep hearing that Hargreaves is safe but I find it rather displeasing that LCC talk to their councillors before consulting any parents. They wont tell us when a decision is due, I find it sickening that they can leave this over parents and carers of disabled kids. Some of them are worried sick they will lose this care and are terrified of the pressures it will place on them. Ive been interviewing parents of disabled kids who have been asking for respite to be told there is no places available. Yet the LCC use the line that no parents are taking up the care. Its simply not true. The panel that decided if a child can access respite hasnt conviened in MONTHS. How can any child access the care if the panel are not meeting to give approval? Its bed blocking and it stinks. This has been in the pipeline for a long time. Its a vital service and we feel its totally and utterly wrong to take this care away from the most needy. Carers will carry on caring for our children and giving them the best opportunities to fullfill their potential, all we ask for is a little respite from the 24/7 care we provide. Surely these children are an integral part of our new 'Big Society'?

"But what I can tell you is any cabinet minister if I win the election, if we win the election, who comes to me and says, "Here are my plans" and they involve frontline reductions, they'll be sent straight back to their department to go away and think again." - David Cameron, 2nd May 2010.

70% of Lancashire's cuts are to frontline services.

How can this be fair? Targetting the most vulnerable, the councillors that voted in favour should hang their heads in shame. Total destruction of our frontline services done with a smile. Makes my blood boil.

The protest went really well and to get on TV was fantastic check out the website Save Our Respite Establishments

We need to keep the campaign in the public eye so have organised an Easter egg run at Hargreaves this Sunday 17th at 1.30pm. Lets hope we get lots of support and show LCC that we will use people power to save our public services.

Rant over :):)