Hammersmith & Fulham Coalition Against Cuts

Kevin Caulfield

Introduction • I am a disabled person, I have worked in a number of DPOS local

and national in the last 17 years• Understanding the social model was a revelation i.e. I am disabled

generally by the world that we live in not by my impairment• I am unashamedly an activist because we cant protect what we

have or change things for the better without disabled people making it happen with allies

• Talk about HAFCAC, history helps explain what we achieved and some of the tactics we used to keep our issues alive in the minds of those

• The changes we have seen and what's on the boil for the future

HAFCAC History• Bit of a journey since Formed in 2006 Hammersmith and Fulham

Coalition Against Cuts (HAFCAC) is a campaign group led by and for disabled and older people in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. At the beginning we were 4 disabled people and an assistance dog!

• We are an independent campaign group not funded by the Council - so we can tell it like it is! This has been crucial.

• We were originally formed to challenge cuts to Independent Living support (community care services) that  marginalise our communities and targeting the poorest and most disadvantaged members of society.

• Our main aim was to stop charging disabled people for support and services.

• We recognised that disabled people need to use whatever avenues are at our disposal campaigning, being on the streets, the law trying to influence policy , posters/ t shirts legendary

HAFCAC History

• Labour Council 1st introduced charging then labour abolished it

• Conservatives manifesto in 2006 (local elections) had a commitment to not re introduce – we expected them to keep that promise – they didn’t – they were lobbied to keep it • In 2007 Two disabled people who were HAFCAC

members took legal advice that forced the Council to abandon its charging proposal following a flawed consultation. Unlawful elements to the policy not following DH guidance.

HAFCAC history • In August 2008, HAFCAC began the process of supporting local

disabled residents with the help of the Public Law Project in seeking a judicial review of the Council’s proposal to start charging older and disabled people for essential support.

• November 2008 HAFCAC is at the Royal Courts of Justice seeking a judicial review. Action outside the courts with supporters and other DPOS attracted wide media coverage.

• May 2008 - Appeal hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice challenging the Courts decision to rule in favour of the Council.

• “HAFCAC has rightly challenged the Council on carrying out its duties fairly and legally.”

• END RESULT The Council had to take over 18 months to finally get it’s charging policy adopted in January 2009. This kept hundreds of thousands of pounds where it belonged in the control of local disabled and older people. A loss in court but still a victory!

HAFCAC Campaign Publicity

HAFCAC Campaign publicity

HAFCAC History

• 2007 commences legal challenge to Council to increase hourly direct payment rates in line with rates given to agencies by the Council after assistant director of Social Services refuses to agree increase. Council backs down quickly and increases direct payment hourly rates. We are just enforcing our rights!

• Throughout 2008, HAFCAC and supporters staged a series of actions outside Hammersmith Town Hall and also the council AGM handing in a petition and forcing a discussion on charging.

• HAFCAC’s 400-signature petition handed in at the Council’s Annual General meeting.

Don’t waste your vote

Our campaign Don’t waste your vote

• May 2014 • We contacted different parties with a series of question on disabled

peoples issues, collated their responses and shared them• 2006 election we did the same leafleted 7000 homes outlining issues for

disabled people in the Borough. People never get pre election materials with dis peoples concerns

• Hired a minibus took to our streets with megaphones to talk to people about voting / banners/placards

• Set up stall in north end road market and outside the town hall created a real buzz really exciting

• People interested “I didn’t know my disabled son could legally vote Im going to home to support him to use his vote”

• Other people I wasn’t going to vote but you made me realise its not just about me.

• We learnt a lot

Council policy changes in 2015

• International Day 2014 event Council leader announces he is abolishing charging from April 2015 (add film clip)

• 1st Council in England under “austerity” to make such a change

• Ilf closure – money ring fenced support packages transferred smoothly and support confirmed by Council until 2018 (next election).

What now for HAFCAC • Disabled people cuts impact nine times higher than non disabled – 28 billion

pounds cut in benefits and entitlements by 2016•  So lots to do when we live in a country where dying people fit for work,

disabled people forced from their homes by the bedroom tax, families choosing between eating and heating tens of thousands waiting for benefits they are entitled to that never come.

• International Day celebration today at the Town Hall• Our direct payment support service taken ‘in house’ by the Council – We

have told them we will take legal action if necessary – • Work together where we can challenge where we cant• Campaign minibus pre Mayoral elections• Election strategy 2018 • Set up HFDPO network with local organizations (Action on Disability), HF

Safety Net People First, Heads UP (mental health group) to try to develop a new model for working with a Council

• Make a film Road to democracy

some tips for campaigning

• Be fearless we only live once• But make sure you have a really independent campaign group that

can be fearless in relation to those in power • Build relationships with local politicians where you can you never know

what might happen• Remind politicians often we are local residents (generally here to

stay), voters and you need to listen to us• Make good connections with lawyers if you can • Stick to your aims/ message if it seems unlikely you will achieve them• We were told by a Council leader in a Council meeting you need to

start living in the real world there will never be no charging. • Laugh occasionally

Contact us

• ADKC Centre, Whistable House, Silchester• Road, London, W10 6SB • Telephone 0208 960 8888 ext. 21• Type talk 1 800 1 0208 960 8888 • SMS not Typetalk 07899 752877• Email info@hafcac.org.uk• www.hafcac.org.uk