Young disabled people had their voices heard recently when local politicians from three of the main parties met with them to discuss issues around planning, infrastructure, and GP surgeries.
Three young members from Building for the Future Plus, Wokingham’s charity that provides skills training, career guidance and social events for young disabled people, met with Andy Croy (Lab), Phil Cunington (Con), David Hare (LibDem) to voice their concerns before the local elections in May.
The three party representatives had the opportunity to say a few words about their parties’ priorities going into the election and how they see the borough council discharging its responsibilities to residents – and disabled residents specifically – before the young people put forward their questions.
The young people asked about:
Health provision (including the new RBH site and the shortage of GP surgeries).
Public toilets and planning for accessibility – and why there is a lack of accessible toilets in the area. (The only Changing Places toilet in Wokingham is in the leisure centre. You have to ask at the desk to get in, and it closes at 10.30pm ). The young people felt really strongly on this issue and stated this lack of provision made it difficult for disabled people to enjoy the same freedom as other people. This is a human rights issue. There should be a requirement that all new public developments should meet minimum standards for accessibility including Changing Places toilets.
All candidates agreed that this is an important issue that needs to be addressed.
Housing The young people highlighted the lack of provision, especially for young people with complex needs. Young people don’t want to be in a nursing home environment. Independent/supported living providers find it difficult to set up services in Wokingham as property prices are high, and it is difficult to retain staff.
Dr Jasper Holmes, who runs the monthly politics session for young disabled people within Building for the Future Plus, said the session was really positive. “I think it went well. We had a lively discussion and the representatives of the *three parties listened to the young people’s concerns and responded to them with some concrete proposals for improvement.
“It is one of BFTF Plus’s aims to provide young disabled people with opportunities to engage with their local community and effect change. When we met in February we talked about the local elections and the issues that were important to us. It was great to have the opportunity to raise these with candidates before the important borough council election in May.
“David Hare recognised in his speech that disabled people are also interested in more general issues, like the environment and council finances. There was a lot of cross-party agreement and they all sought to project an image of cooperation and mutual respect.
“They spoke specifically about adult social care and the need for appropriate housing. They talked about the Social Care Future Charter, which WBC has signed and which emphasises the importance of supporting care users in their own homes.”
Student Daniel Woolford, of Finchampstead, was at the meeting, and said: “It was good to meet our local politicians. We asked questions and told them about problems we face like access issues and housing. They listened and told us about some local groups we can join to share our experiences with people who can help change things. I want to get involved.
“I think anybody wanting to make positive changes in our community should join our group so we can work together to make our voices heard.”
Dr Holmes said this piece of work will continue after the May elections and BFTF Plus will follow up on issues raised with whomever forms the new council. There is a regular public meeting about the Social Care Future initiative, which the group will be attending.
For more information, visit https://www.bftf.org.uk/bftfplus
* due to the short notice the Green Party candidate couldn’t attend and the group hopes to meet with them soon.