The cost of riots to Social Care

The major news hitting the headlines this week was of course the rioting that took place across the country causing misery and distress to thousands of people. Reports claim that the riots stemmed from social issues resulting from the Government cuts. However, they actually caused more damage to social services; Social Workers were not able to carry on with work as normal because Police Officers couldn’t attend mental health appointments with them, and an ambulance which takes dementia patients to day centres was torched.

Community Care (www.communitycare.co.uk) explains: ‘The riots have depleted an ambulance service that takes dementia patients to day centres after a gang torched one vehicle and badly scorched another.

The damage will cost Age Concern Leicester Shire and Rutland up to £45,000, which it may not be able to raise.

The gang threw a petrol bomb at one of two 17-seat specially-converted vehicles that were among a fleet of 10 vans of varying sizes belonging to the charity.

Chief executive Tony Donovan said users were anxious, confused and worried for their safety with some not wanting to come into day centres today, fearing they had been the gang’s target.

Even if it does raise enough for a converted van, it will take up to three months for the new vehicle to be ready.

Most of the clients are in the critical care banding and find change difficult, said Donovan. Many are so frail that, without the service, they would be in residential care.

Age UK said other local charities were affected by the violence. On Monday, Age UK Croydon’s offices in south London were ransacked, causing £20,000 damage.

Have you or your business been effected by the riots this week? If so we would love to hear from you, email enquiries@you2choose.com or comment below.

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