Vulnerable and disabled take message to streets
SOME of Birmingham’s most vulnerable people have told city council bosses they are fed up with having to fight for their support services.
Hundreds of people struggling with mental health problems, disability, homelessness and addiction joined a St Valentine’s Day protest against the Labour-run city council’s plan to cut to £5 million from the valued Supporting People programme.
The fund pays organisations and charities to provide services which keep thousands out of high-cost residential care, hospital, rough sleeping and homeless hostels.
The budget has already been slashed from more than £50 million in 2010 down to £24 million now.
Further cuts would see an increase in people forced onto the streets or needing emergency services.
One service user, Donna Daly, told the crowd: “I’m fed up of my needs being considered less important than anybody else’s.
“I’m fed up this is the way we have been constantly treated over the last six or seven years. I’m here on a freezing cold day because I want it to stop and everyone here wants it to stop.”
Among the organisations taking part in the Victoria Square demo were the Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, Birmingham Mind, St Basils, Women’s Aid, Midland Mencap and BID Services which all urged the council not to turn its back on the most vulnerable. They have previous-