This year  #matthewscampaign has grown and scored some huge wins…

1. The Health and Safety Executive, (after a lengthy 7 year battle),  finally took Essex Partnership University Trust  (EPUTnhs) to court over lethal Health and Safety breaches that cost multiple lives and EPUTnhs were ordered to pay £1.5 million in fines. (NB. None of this money goes to the families, but back to central funds to be re-circulated).
    
2. We marched to Downing St and held our first National Day dedicated to the memory of all those failed by Mental Health Services across the nation. 7th July 2022…a date for your diary. 
    
3. We stood along side families campaigning for improvement to SEND services. 
    
4. We won CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR at the region press awards - Making a Difference Award. 
    
5. We were finalists at the prestigious BAPS awards. (Bloody awesome parents awards) - Making a Difference.
    
6. We are double finalists in the glamorous and prestigious Anna Kennedy Autism Hero Awards and had the pleasure of being interviewed by Anna Kennedy OBE.
    
7. We launched our campaign song, with our special thanks to the main star….Simple Samm. With lyrics by Amy Mason/Green, and production team …LH Instrumentals and Studio 808. 
    
8. We were given confirmation that a Independent Inquiry would go ahead. (which is not what we are campaigning for and will not engage with.) 
    
9. Our social media presence continues to grow by the day. We can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and U-tube . All links here
    
   We are truly thankful for what has been achieved this year but we will not accept anything less than a FULL STATUTORY PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO ESSEX MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, so that lives can be saved and lethal practices can be stopped for once and for all.

In coming together, with what appear to be many different groups, we see clearly that we are actually all fighting the same IGNORANCE, DELIBERATE FAILURE, STIGMAS, DETERMINATION TO FAIL the most beautiful and vulnerable in our society.

We note starkly, that our voices are not being heard to anything like the magnitude they deserve and that the issues we all face in our campaigns are of the most extreme seriousness yet.
As the late Sir David Amess said, “there are so many relentless obstacles. The lives and deaths of the vulnerable.  Their right to life and care commensurate with their need to survive and not to suffer significant harm.  The right to mitigate against any negatives related to disability and illness. Dignity, Love.”

We remember every single soul.

We know that most of our society is blissfully unaware of these issues because nobody would believe that such things could happen unless they are in the unfortunate position of having to face them.  And we know that when those families are caught up in these broken systems it is very often far too late.  They are left to sink or swim.  

We have all wept having to witness new deaths on our doorstep in places and in ways which we knew needed to be prevented but were not. 

We can not tolerate this and we insist that nobody should ever be thrust into a terrifying, chaotic and broken system capable of killing or seriously harming anyone.

And so we end this year with very mixed feelings and a deep resolve, along with our colleagues, to NEVER EVER GIVE UP OUR FIGHT UNTIL WE HAVE A FULL STATUTORY PUBLIC INQUIRY.

The real and powerful difference that we see this year is the scale of resistance and opposition that surrounds us all as members of the public unite together to bring light and love to the coldest, darkest corners of our society.  A revolution of love and strength that meets us and warms us like fire. 

This Christmas, whoever you are and whatever your own personal faith, we will raise a toast to all of you in thanks and solidarity.  We gather strength for the coming year and we are ready to campaign more than ever for a STATUTORY PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO Essex Mental Health SERVICES.

WE HAVE ALL SUFFERED THIS YEAR BEYOND MEASURE BUT WE ARE STRONGER THAN EVER AND WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
 
In the past year we have added to our beloved list of colleagues and friends…
 
AIM - Autistic Inclusive Meets and Emma Dalmayne, Paul Wady
Mental Health - Time for Action Foundation
ICARS (International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion.)
Dr Carrie Grant
BLEMI (Barristers with lived experience of mental illness)
Anna Kennedy OBE
Neville Southall
CCHR (Citizens Commison For Human Rights)
Campaign Against Psychiatric Drug Abuse (CAPDA)
Stephen’s Voice
My Family Our Needs Charity
Byline Times
Sean Fletcher
Professor Alison Leary
Inquest Charity
Hodge, Jones and Allen Solicitors
Families Bereaved by Medication-Induced Suicide (FBBMIS)
Dannielle Attree
Joe Cusack 

 And many other brilliant souls who have given their time, support and comfort.

We give thanks at this time of reflection and we thank god for them all. 

Written with all of our love, as we stand with you all. x

#matthewscampaign
#statutorypublicinquiry