On Friday 1st June I will be attending a conference on Welfare Reform to be held in Newcastle. The organisers have done an excellent job of bringing together people, from all over the North East, where views, opinions and real life stories will be discussed.
I have been invited to speak which I will do willingly. Nothing unusual so far, as I have attended many conferences over many years. This one is different though as it brings together 2 ‘on line’ friends.
Way back in the murky mists of early last year – I was invited to join a new joint Google group. It was set up by Rhydian Fon James – one of the founder members of The Broken of Britain, and founder members of CarerWatch. Delighted to be asked but not a clue what a Google group was or did – I pressed the button which said ‘CONFIRM.’
I then attended the Edinburgh Hardest Hit rally while, my new ‘on line’ friend was at the event in Newcastle. The outcome of these rallies was the birth of Pat’s Petition and the meeting face to face with my ‘on line’ friend – Rosemary.
We will stand together at the conference tomorrow - united in one voice. In the word’s of Pat’s Petition – to ask the government for a ‘pause’ – to stop and review how all the cuts will affect so many disabled people, their carers and families. The Perfect Storm.
We will report back after the conference.
Tags: benefits, blindness, carerwatch, disability living allowance, employment support allowance, hardest hit, independent living, learning disability, Pat's Petition, personal independence payment, universal credit, welfare reform