Show Us You Care: A simple action makes a big difference for social care
Nick Bishop
Nick shares what happened when he met his MP to talk about our Show Us You Care campaign.
I joined the Show Us You Care campaign and I took a simple action to improve social care. I clicked some buttons and filled in my details, and in just a few seconds I could email my MP. The results were even better than I expected.
My MP listened to me and pledged to join our campaign, set up by the Care and Support Alliance (CSA) and Leonard Cheshire. I really feel like it could make a difference.
I saw that my local representative really does care – they’re keen to take issues forward and help out where they can. So how did it all start?
Easy steps create progress
I wrote to my MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour, Poole). It was simple. It took seconds using Leonard Cheshire’s Show Us You Care action
So what are these easy steps?
1. I entered my postcode and pressed a purple button labelled 'Go'.
The website showed that in my local area (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) - there is a shortage of 1300 care workers – no wonder it’s hard to get care. If you search your postcode, you can find out the state of social care in your area too.
2. I entered my name, email address, the first line of my address and my town. I pressed a purple button labelled 'Find My MP'.
3. The website created a letter to my local MP. (This letter had the actions my MP can take, and more statistics about social care in my area). And then I pressed a purple button labelled 'Send'.
A quick reply and a positive meeting
My MP responded quickly via email, throwing his support behind the campaign. I was delighted. Feeling inspired, I asked my MP if he would like to meet me. Thankfully, Neil said he would.
I shared my views and my personal experience of social care. I talked about how the Government must improve social care for people of all ages, and provide long-term funding. And I was listened to. It’s your right to be listened to as well.
Understanding the need for change
My MP understood that social care is essential, not just for me but for people across the country. Neil and other MPs realise that people need care for the essentials in life - getting up and out, to be able to work, to see friends and family. They understand that the Government must carry out vital changes called for by Leonard Cheshire and the Care and Support Alliance (CSA): a long-term funding plan so that local authorities get the money they need, a clear workforce strategy, an end to long waits for assessments, a National Carers’ Strategy and charging reform.
Rewarding results from a quick action
When thinking about that first letter to your MP, please don’t worry if you feel this is not something you normally do. That’s a natural reaction and I get it. But it really does take seconds via the Leonard Cheshire action. And crucially, when I contacted my MP for the first time, it really worked. The results were really rewarding. So you know what? They’re waiting to hear from you, and they need to hear from all of us about social care.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Now, can you spare just a few seconds more to take action? Just click the button below. Cheers!
More details about the Show Us You Care campaign
Show Us You Care is a joint campaign with 60 leading charities of the Care & Support Alliance in England, including Leonard Cheshire. Social care is the responsibility of devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Non-England supporters can use a service like writetothem.com to email your local politicians about social care in your area.