Letter writing to local councillors or MPs

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EdgySpirit

Member
I wonder if this is worthwhile during the lockdown? Will NTs be bored enough to do something or leave it until things are back to normal?

It could be a relatively simple and accessible form of advocacy. I know from working in public sector that politicians do pay attention to this sort of thing. E-mails are just as good.

I don't know if this group could formulate some letter templates or organise a campaign of mass writing like requesting decent adult services.
 
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Thunderchild

Administrator
There are so many petitions on the go already for all sorts of things. I am afraid that what is not seen is not heard. As I just explained to someone austerity has hit the unseen service the most as politicians and councils scramble to make cuts without upsetting too many of their voters. Social services, mental health and child services all get pushed down the line. My county council, Northamptonshire was bankrupted one year and in profit the next, no doubt a lot of things that were already poorly funded were screwed.

I am afraid that overall this all boils down to greed. All of these services need paying for. And no one likes to pay tax.

The current situation is a case in point. OK millions of pounds have been donated to the NHS charities - which is not even the NHS - but work it out, with over 60 millions people in the country at least 50% must be in work and will have benefited from a £100 tax cut, haw many have given that to the NHS that are so fervently clapping for as though the NHS runs of the power of claps? If £60M has been given that is about it and equivalent to £2 per head. If everyone that could afford it gave that £100 back we would be talking about something like £1.5B !!!! We face existential crisis for which our very visible NHS is crucial in defending us against yet a mere 0.4% has been voluntarily donated of what could have been taken out of taxation - based on just 15 million people donating.

With such social attitudes how much do you think people care about the services they do not think they benefit from?
 
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EdgySpirit

Member
Here is my first draft. There are some will in the blanks for specific places. I will work my own example up later perhaps after some feed back.


Objective:
To highlight lack of local services for those with
Dear Councillor [insert name]
Lack of Support for Neuro-divergent/ Disabled/ Autistic Adults in [Place name]
I am an autistic person/ I also have [insert]
I am writing to you about the services in our area that people like me need to help us live a fulfilled life.

I note that the Council Website describes the services on offer. [List- some research required]

And some additional services provided by charity organisations are signposted. [List- some research required]

However, services to people like me seem to be very limited [because] [e.g. Services are aimed at children, provision is only made for people with co-concurring learning disabilities etc] and these do not meet the needs of many [Autistic adults]

Improved services such [list e.g. post diagnostic support, better access to needs assessment, group meetings ] would help me [find peer support, gain and keep employment, aid mental health and wellbeing and thrive in the community and enjoy life more]

Please would you let me know what your policies and plans to provide services in accordance with The Autism Act, Equalities Act and the Care Act and these are important to the well being of myself and people like me.
Thankyou for your help. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely
[Name]