A petition has been set up to try to protect the future of Wandsworth Mencap as the council tries to encourage carer support services to form a consortium.

Wandsworth Mencap provides information and support to families and carers of people with learning disabilities.

The changes proposed by the council include tendering the services as a whole, rather than in lots, and encouraging the providers to form a consortium.

Comments by the council’s director of finance, in a report about the services, said: “A 10 per cent reduction in the current contract cost will be sought, to reflect the efficiencies and reductions in overheads from having a single provider (albeit a consortium).”

Penny Bradford, 65, a Mencap volunteer from West Hill, said: “What they are proposing is a consortium of some of the voluntary organisations like Age UK, Wandsworth Carer’s Centre and Wandsworth Mencap. They say it will make things easier as people won’t have to repeat their stories.”

She was concerned the expertise of Wandsworth Mencap might get watered down, and added: “I think whatever happens we want a campaign for a strong voice for people with learning difficulties.

“People don’t understand how hard parents of people with learning disabilities have to fight for every penny. We want Wandsworth Mencap to be a big voice, an effective voice, within the consortium.

“They save the council hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

Chris Albury, senior family support worker for Wandsworth Mencap, said: “We have enjoyed our working partnership with Wandsworth social services and hope to continue this.”

The petition, set up by Wandsworth Mencap supporters, will be presented to the chief executive next month before a final decision is made.

It said: “We the undersigned would like Wandsworth Mencap to continue its invaluable work in supporting families and carers of people with learning disabilities, and play a vital part in the establishment and running of the new one stop service for carers in Wandsworth.”

A council spokesman said: “We are in the process of procuring an integrated package of carer support services to provide local people with a single point of contact and better co-ordinated support around their specific needs.”

To sign the petition, visit bit.ly/19w2X41.


Wandsworth Times:

"MENCAP IS A GREAT HELP"

Carol Harding, pictured, 69, from Tooting, is just one of the thousands of people who have been helped by Wandsworth Mencap over the years.

Her daughter Lisa, 47, has a rare genetic condition PKU which caused damage to her brain and means she needs a special diet. 

Mrs Harding cared for her for 45 years and was supported by Mencap, which helped her find a home for her daughter two years ago. 

She said: “The lady from Mencap, she was a great help to me. She found a lovely home for my daughter. She’s doing well there; I never thought I would ever let her leave home. 

“Mencap helps with situations like that, papers we get that we don’t understand. 
“Mencap has been a great help to a hell of a lot of people.”