People First and Mind came out in force to lobby Cumbria County Council over the 50% cuts that they are making to Advocacy in Cumbria.
Over 50 people descended on County Hall in Kendal to lobby councillors as they went in to their council meeting this morning.
With colourful banners and placards and some very loud voices we expressed our disbelief at what the council are going to do.
Advocacy providers such as People First and Mind have works tirelessly over the last 20 years to give vulnerable Cumbrian’s a voice! Now it is likely that a larger national or regional organisation will win the new generic contract for advocacy.
The new contract means that people will get less advocacy support provided by advocates who may not have the specialist skills, knowledge or experience of the difficulties faced by that individual.
It may also mean that we can not support our many groups in the same way that we always have done.
We have had and continue to have a good partnership with Cumbria County Council and we understand and support the fact that they have to make cuts and save money in every possible way, however they have pledged to support the most vulnerable in our communities which this move clearly does not do!
I’m so proud of you all. I can’t believe the extent of the cuts… it’s just not right.