‘We have to stop abuse behind closed doors’
Tony Stowell is a determined man. For the past two years, he has dedicated his life to stamping out abuse and neglect in care homes.
Tony is convinced the only way to achieve this is to make CCTV monitoring compulsory in all places that offer residential care.
The father-of-two from Hull is the first to say he’s had an eventful life, as an almost-pop star, a Tom Cruise lookalike and a model. Tony, 50, spent years travelling the world mingling with celebrities and sipping Champagne until he settled down in Hull with his wonderful partner, Chantal.
He began his campaign to end abuse in residential care two years ago in honour of a family member.
Spurred into action, he gave up his career to concentrate on raising awareness of the heartbreaking situations some people and their families find themselves in. Last year, a report found four in 10 care homes failed inspections, with reports of pensioners being punched, starved and neglected.
Tony has toured the country reviewing conditions in care homes. ‘I feel many people are being let down,’ he says. ‘I just had to do something.’
CCTV within care facilities is an emotional issue – some patients and staff don’t want to be filmed 24/7.
But Tony says, ‘ We have to stop abuse behind closed doors. There are plenty of healthcare professionals who offer wonderful treatment and care – these people have nothing to fear.’
Tony now has thousands of people behind him and his campaign has been boosted by a host of household names who have come forward to offer their support.
One of his champions is Eddie Kidd, the former motorcycle stunt man and record-breaker, who, after being paralysed in an accident, suffered abuse from his carer – his former wife.
Tony, who attended the awards with Chantal, says, ‘At first it felt like I was a lone voice in the wind. But now so many people are helping me to shout this from the rooftops – we can make a change.’