Carer’s fight to keep help for sick wife

Andrew Peacher is concerned that spending cuts are affecting services available to his wife Joanne, who has mental health problems.

A HUSBAND who cares for his sick wife is calling on others to join him in the fight to protect services from public spending cuts.

Andrew Peacher (44) only moved to the area a couple of months ago, but is already concerned about the level of support he receives for looking after wife Joanne (44), who suffers from mental health problems and has learning disabilities.

He says simple things like providing activities to occupy Joanne have become more difficult to access as spending cuts bite.

He now wants to organise a march by people in South Holland highlighting concerns to Lincolnshire County Council chiefs, who are responsible for setting the budget for adult social care.

Mr Peacher, of Sutton Road, Sutton St James, said: “Just a few years ago there was a lot more available to take people like Joanne’s minds of their troubles but now everything is being cut back to the bone.

“I am able to work part-time to get a bit of freedom, but I am also concerned about all the cuts to benefits and how it will affect us and other people in the same situation.

“I consider myself a bit of an activist and I am thinking of organising something locally to put our point across.”

Mr Peacher has spoken out after a Hardest Hit march in London, which saw more than 8,000 disabled people, their families and representatives of about 40 organisations, turn out in force to express anger at cuts to benefits, services, jobs and rights.

After the march they asked MPs to challenge policies that they say will push disabled people over the edge into poverty.

Anyone interested in joining Mr Peacher in a peaceful protest in Lincoln, or for more information, can contact him on 07880 584571.

http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/local/carer_s_fight_to_keep_help_for_sick_wife_1_2692343