Hft was pleased to be approached by Sky News about one of the highlights of the political calendar – the Autumn Budget announcement on 29 October.

With Sky News reaching over 8 million people every month, this was a rare opportunity to raise awareness of the financial pressures facing Hft and other learning disability service providers, as well as celebrate the brilliant work staff do, and give people supported by Hft an important chance to have their say on the Budget.

Sky News filmed three live segments of its Budget coverage at Hft Bristol and Bath’s supported living service, Apsley House during the three hours leading up to the Chancellor’s announcement.

Footage contained a range of perspectives on what people were hoping to see from the budget, including interviews with Hft CEO Robert Longley-Cook, Elizabeth Burston – the parent of a person supported by Hft, and Adrian and Jane, two people who live at Apsley House.

During his interview with journalist Rebecca Williams, Robert raised a number of key issues, including the fact that many people are unaware that the learning disability sector makes up a third of social care funding – as much as the elderly care sector! Robert highlighted the point that staff are the bedrock of Hft services, but that the sector is under pressure, underfunded, and undervalued, and called for a sustainable funding solution.

Next up were Adrian and Jane, who were filmed in their conservatory, which they’d decorated with photos of them and their fellow residents. Jane praised supportive staff at Apsley House and the friends she’s made through Hft, mentioning how important it is to have as much independence as possible. Adrian agreed that the people who live there are always there for each other and told audiences that he didn’t know where he’d be if his Hft service closed.

Elizabeth Burston, whose daughter is supported by Hft, also shared her thoughts. She stressed the importance of places like Apsley House, describing how much it means to her to know that her daughter is safe and happy.

Jane, who was interviewed by Sky, also commented on her experience:

“It’s quite important that we have our say and it’s important for us to be able to talk for ourselves. I found the whole experience fantastic and my sister is very proud of me. We talked about how funding cuts can affect us – if they take our money away we won’t get as much time with staff which keeps us safe.”

To find out more about Hft’s research into social care funding, visit our It Doesn’t Add Up campaign page.