Write a letter for publication in your local paper to explain why social care is an investment in us all.

It’s easy to see how disabled and older people and their families benefit from social care services.  It enables deafblind people, for example, to get out and about and to communicate with others.  What is sometimes forgotten is that this has positive consequences for us all.

How this is the case was shown in a recent post for Sense’s social care blog, written by a deafblind person, Katie Vecina.  Katie described her life without social care as “living like a caged animal.”  Just five hours a week of a communicator-guide service changed Katie’s life and enabled her to work part time.  Katie summed up the advantages of providing her with social care as “a healthier, happier person; some semblance of a life restored; and, a financial saving for the state.”

Too often, social care is seen as a low priority and as a drain on resources.  This needs to change.  Its importance to us all needs to be recognised.

The Government is reforming social care law, with the Care Bill now going through Parliament.  However, without additional funding the reforms may not be realised.

Write a letter for publication in your local paper to explain why social care is an investment in us all.  Simply follow the link below, fill in your details, edit the template letter and then send.  The website will automatically find local papers in your county.  Adding your own experiences or views to the letter will help make it powerful and increase the likelihood of it being published.

The more people who understand that social care is an investment in us all, the better the chances that the reforms will deliver a system that truly works.

> Send an email adding your own experiences

OR

> Send an email that includes the story of Katie, a deafblind woman   

If you use social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, tell your friends and followers, too.  Like or tweet Katie’s story or Sense’s social care blog.

Note: This action applies to England only.