Frequently Asked Questions
1 Who should start a campaign?
We will only support a campaign that is led by residents and relatives.
2 Why should we campaign?
Because a badly handled closure can increase mortality rates by 50%. A famous quote to the Councillor responsible from a distraught relative. ‘You’re murdering my mum!! She’ll never survive the move’. She didn’t.
3 When should a campaign be started?
As soon as the consultation process is announced. Remember that the option to Judicial
Review is time limited to three months from the ‘decision in principal’.
4 How do we do it?
Contact us through the email address and we will talk you through it.
5 Can you help us with start up costs?
Yes we can. We will make a loan to pay for meeting room costs and allowance for postage
etc. You will be expected to raise money yourselves and repay us with what is left after the campaign ends.
6 What happens next?
We will help you organise a meeting and initially chair it until you can take over yourselves. We will arrange a specialist Solicitor to explain to you what you can do. Perhaps a Judicial Review? We can help you with the Media and Councillors.
7 What is a Judicial Review?
It is a Court Case which reviews the decision making process. Not the morality of that decision.
8 Do we have to go to Court and give evidence?
No, but you maybe asked to give a witness statement.
9 If we decide to bring a Judicial Review what will it cost us?
Nothing if the residents qualify for legal aid.
10 What chance of success?
Depends what you call success. You may get the Council to reverse the closure. You may keep the home open but in private sector control. You may get a ‘build and close’. A new home is built first and then everyone is transferred as one unit. The transfer has full psychiatric oversight and the moves are done in a family grouping. Rarely if ever do the campaigners fail to win some form of an improvement in the situation.
11 What if you lose?
Important question. At least you tried. This is very important for the relative’s peace of mind. Many relatives say how much fun it was and that the campaigning had given them a new confidence. Some even become Councillors!!
1 Who should start a campaign?
We will only support a campaign that is led by residents and relatives.
2 Why should we campaign?
Because a badly handled closure can increase mortality rates by 50%. A famous quote to the Councillor responsible from a distraught relative. ‘You’re murdering my mum!! She’ll never survive the move’. She didn’t.
3 When should a campaign be started?
As soon as the consultation process is announced. Remember that the option to Judicial
Review is time limited to three months from the ‘decision in principal’.
4 How do we do it?
Contact us through the email address and we will talk you through it.
5 Can you help us with start up costs?
Yes we can. We will make a loan to pay for meeting room costs and allowance for postage
etc. You will be expected to raise money yourselves and repay us with what is left after the campaign ends.
6 What happens next?
We will help you organise a meeting and initially chair it until you can take over yourselves. We will arrange a specialist Solicitor to explain to you what you can do. Perhaps a Judicial Review? We can help you with the Media and Councillors.
7 What is a Judicial Review?
It is a Court Case which reviews the decision making process. Not the morality of that decision.
8 Do we have to go to Court and give evidence?
No, but you maybe asked to give a witness statement.
9 If we decide to bring a Judicial Review what will it cost us?
Nothing if the residents qualify for legal aid.
10 What chance of success?
Depends what you call success. You may get the Council to reverse the closure. You may keep the home open but in private sector control. You may get a ‘build and close’. A new home is built first and then everyone is transferred as one unit. The transfer has full psychiatric oversight and the moves are done in a family grouping. Rarely if ever do the campaigners fail to win some form of an improvement in the situation.
11 What if you lose?
Important question. At least you tried. This is very important for the relative’s peace of mind. Many relatives say how much fun it was and that the campaigning had given them a new confidence. Some even become Councillors!!