[Edinburgh-carecampaign] Campaign meetings

[Marlyn Tweedie]

Next Homecare Campaign meeting is Wed 18th Nov. 6pm at Council Chambers.

This is our last meeting before the Public Meeting on Wed. 25th Nov. 7pm Old
Parish Church; Bellfield Street; Portobello

Please come to either - or - both meetings.

Can you spare any time between now and Wed. 25th Nov. to leaflet areas in
Portobello or help out with Sat's stall in Portobello High Street?

'phone me if you can help   - it would help us get the info out to as many
people in Portobello as possible.

Last week there was a great rally at the Council Chambers.
Organisations that support people with learning difficulties and mental
health problems have lost the tender to 4 organisations  - one of which is
Choices  who pay £6.50p an hour.

This tendering disgrace means vulnerable people losing support they trust
and feel benefit from.
At last week's rally, I spoke to a parent who says he and his wife are
worried sick about their son's welfare.

Why is such a low wage felt appropriate for people supporting; caring for -
in some cases protecting - our vulnerable citizens.?

Once again Edinburgh Council shows it's disregard for those they should be
protecting.

But last week's rally was a start to challenging this.


Council had frozen direct payments  They have backed down slightly  on this
although the levels they're allowing are far too low.

As with the Homecare campaign this struggle is about choice  - the choice to
have a public service instead of a private one; and the choice to have
enough direct payments to pay for a good quality service.

This Thurs. the Council are meeting to discuss. There will be 4 or 5
deputations arguing against the proposed tendering.

A large lobby is expected. Please join it if you can   From 9am Council
Chambers   All Welcome
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