LETTER: ‘I am now seeing at firsthand how cuts are tearing a huge hole for the poorest in Stroud’

I have been out talking to residents in some of the poorest parts of our community and I am devastated at what I am finding. I met an elderly lady who had to remove her son (who suffers with serious mental health issues) from a local care home run by a private company as the home was negligent and making her son suicidal. This elderly lady is now looking after her son in her own home.

I have met a young mother with a toddler who is living in a damp flat that the housing association will not sort out and who ignores her communication. The damp has impacted on her son’s health (deafness) and she has developed Asthma. The lady has ended up in debt trying to pay to resolve this.

Last year I met a homeless lady living in a tent on the grass alongside a public building in Stroud (in freezing conditions). This lady had been thrown out of her rented accommodation because the landlord had put the rent up and she couldn’t afford to pay and she had then lost her kids and ended up on the streets.

I grew up in poverty and on a council estate, but unlike many young people now I was lucky enough to get a student grant and work my way out of poverty by going to university.

A few years ago, my husband and I found ourselves over £30k in debt because my husband was continually not being paid at work or not being paid on time and our debts spiraled.

We struggled to pay the bills and feed and clothe our son and I will never forget what it’s like, nor will I stand by and neglect people that need our help.

There are countless other ‘untold’ stories like this about local people that I hope the Stroud News and Journal and all other local newspapers will start reporting about more and that my colleagues in local politics and community work will come and meet and talk to with me.

Debbie Hicks,

Labour Party county council candidate for Stroud Central