We are asking for help. Vulnerable people are losing the carers they have had for years. They don't want to change to outside providers. They want the people who have looked after them for years to continue but the council are not allowing this.

Below is a letter that will be going to Sheffield City Council. Please help raise the profile and speak for those that cant speak for themselves

NO VOICE, NO CHOICE

 

As a united front, we understand the principles behind undertaking a tender process. However, the way it has been undertaken is beyond belief.

 

We fail to understand why so many providers that have worked in the City for many years are now surplus to requirements. A new “Well-being” service, but for whom?

 

Let us start with the most important people in this process, our service users. Where has their choice gone?  They open their doors to allow people in, often to undertake extremely personal support because they trust them. They depend on them. The reason is because they have developed professional relationships over time. They don’t have to say how many sugars they want in the drink, nor where the flannels are or how to put their heating on. This is because our carers know. How do they know? Because they have spent hours and hours building up a trusting relationship. All this is being taken away from them. The sad thing is that they have no choice. Because you have taken this human right away from them. For what reason. We are sure that you must have one, but we fail to see what is going to be gained for these vulnerable people. There has been no consideration to what they want. Have you asked them. No. This is because you know what their answer will be. Instead, you send a letter out to them all informing them that their support will change. We would like to point out that you breached GDPR rules by getting the information wrong on the letters, but this was just brushed under the carpet.

How would you feel if total strangers turned up and walked into your bedroom in a morning. Surely people have a choice as to who can go into their homes. You choose who you let in, but you are not allowing thousands of people that choice. How come you can get away with this? It’s because they have no voice.

 

Now to our carers. It’s not a job to them. It’s a vocation. They care. A few years ago, the country stood outside and clapped them for their commitment to the people they care for. Genuine front-line workers who risked their own health and that of their families to ensure those people who needed them were supported. These are the people that you were voted in to support. Now you are ripping their hearts out. Taking away their purpose by taking away the reason they work. Their service users. Every day they go above and beyond what they get paid for. They stop and get newspapers, loaves of bread, medications, etc to ensure that their service users’ needs are met. They sit and cry with them when they lose people close to them. They stand by their sides when they are burying their loved ones who they have loved for many years. They were the ones that were there during Covid when no one could visit them. They walk through the snow to make sure they get support when everyone else it sat in the comfort of their own homes as they can work from home. They are also very loyal to us. Their hearts are breaking at having to make the decision as to whether to stay with their clients or stay with the companies that have looked after them for years. Why? Again, no logical reason. Yes they can TUPE over. But you cannot guarantee that they will have the same hours. You don’t even know what they get paid. How can we reassure them that they will still get their hours. Business will choose their own carers if they can pay them less. Those carers who the country praised are now being punished. How easy do you forget. These carers pay their council taxes to you, they vote for you they are the people you should represent. Can you out your hand on your heart and say you are serving them? We think not.

 

Now to us. Our businesses that we have spent years building up to serve your constituents. Now taken away from us. For what reason? Did we perform badly, No. Did we let you down, No. Have we ever refused to jump through your hoops spending hours of administration time to ensure we tick your boxes. No. What have we done wrong? What can the “New providers “do that we can’t do? Nothing.

Some businesses are being forced to close. Please tell us once again, how you can say you are serving the constituents of Sheffield. To add insult to injury, you are asking us to provide all the information we have gathered over years to help the people taking our businesses.

 

A framework of Well-Being. Really. Who’s well-being are you looking at.

 

We, as a united front are asking you to reconsider. Keep your present providers and add to it. Allow our service users to have the human right of choice. Allow our carers to keep their jobs. Allow us to keep our businesses. Allow us to do our jobs and you do yours and serve your constituents.

 

Signing off from the little people fighting for our human rights.