HAFCAC: Who we are
HAFCAC members and supporters enjoy a night out at our Pub Quiz.
Photos by Magdalena Jakubczak and Joanna Kosciolek
HAFCAC members are a growing number of disabled and older people who are users of London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) community care services.
HAFCAC has consistently campaigned to stop LBHF reducing this support and charging for the services. We are challenging these cuts to help break the link between poverty and older and disabled people.
LBHF has cut essential care services and imposed charges
These services are an important human right, and they should be free. They help disabled and older people to live independently and with dignity, and to have control over our lives. They are key to including disabled and older local people in society.
Community care services are there so that disabled and older local people can be an equal part of our community.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has reduced this support and has imposed charges for important services.
Charging means that many service users often have to choose between using a service and meeting their basic needs.
We are opposed to charging for support services because –
• Charging discriminates against disabled and older people and reduces our ability to be involved in society as equal people.
• Local taxes should be spread across all residents in the borough. Older and disabled people should not have to pay an additional tax.
• This additional tax forces many of us to struggle alone in the short term and then need more support in the long term. It causes worry and additional problems in our day-to-day lives.
• Charging is expensive to run, it does not work properly and is not necessary.
• Charging means that local people often end up depending on others and feeling isolated.
Community Care Services
Important services provided by the Council include:
• Help with practical and personal support. This may include:
assistance with shopping
housework
bathing
going to college
being able to go out socially.
• Small aids equipment.
Nobody has to pay for other essential council services. There are no charges on health or education services. We are not charged to use a library, but we may have to pay if we need help to go shopping for food!
Disabled and older residents already contribute!
Hammersmith & Fulham Council is wrong to suggest that disabled and older people do not contribute.
Many disabled and older people already pay taxes towards all Council services. We hope the Council would not say that it cannot support those who have been unable to work due to illness or level of impairment.
People should not be charged twice to use any service. Disabled and older people already pay a lot to society and would contribute even more if the barrier of charging was removed for good.
Join the Coalition —
contact details below
You never know when you, or someone you know, may need support and services in the future!
• We will keep you updated about what is happening.
• We will send you a campaign pack.
• We will invite you to take part in any action we are planning.