Sir, – I am writing as a user of the Cheshire Community Service in my area and I am deeply saddened at the decision to cease the service due, I presume, to lack of funding. Since becoming a user, I would have to say that my life has been greatly enhanced. Instead of feeling disabled and waiting to die, I have lived life to the full. The staff treated me with great kindness and no job has ever been too small for them.
I cannot say in words what a wonderful team they are, and not only have they enabled me to enjoy many social activities which I would have been unable to do without them. They have become my friends and I shall very much miss their cheerfulness and good humour. I don’t really know how I will manage without them.
It is a terrible indictment on the Government that they choose not to grant funding to such a wonderful service that has made the lives of so many users bearable and, at the same time, award bonus payments to employees of Nama and other semi-State organisations.
Surely there is a huge imbalance in the system that leaves vulnerable disabled people without the additional assistance of the wonderful Community Service provided by Cheshire and that rewards such semi-State employees with a bonus?
Finally, I would like to thank the Community Service for all the assistance they have given to me personally, and I trust in time the service may be able to resume this activity. – Yours, etc,