Demos planned for UN Older People’s Day 1 October 2016
This year, the NPC will be marking UN Older People’s Day on 1 October with a series of protests around the country aimed at highlighting the need for a new National Health and Social Care Service (NHSCS). A briefing to help those taking part is available for download here. The protest will include the use of these skeletons – as a way of getting our message across – “We want decent social care now – before it’s too late!”.
INTERNATIONAL OLDER PEOPLE’S DAY SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2016
BRIEFING PAPER
Background
Over
the last few years, the NPC has been organising around the UN Day of Older
People. This year we intend to use it to call for improvements in social care
and the introduction of a National Health and Care Service, funded through
taxation. This briefing provides guidance as to what affiliates/regions/local
groups/members can do to support the campaign on the day.
Activity
On
the day we are asking supporters to carry out some or all of the following:
·
Give
out leaflets to the general public (these will be provided centrally, but there
will be a cost for postage).
·
Organise
a demonstration outside a town hall/care home/in a town centre or anywhere that
the public will see you, using the Skeletons (see picture below). It is quite
simple to organise and requires masks, disposable decorating suits, folding
chairs (if required) and placards/posters (the template for these will be
provided centrally).
·
Let
the local media know that you are holding the demonstration and it may get some
local publicity.
·
All
of this activity need only take place for a couple of hours at a suitable time
during the day.
The message
- The NPC will be
using the day to highlight the need for a National Health and Care
Service, funded through taxation, as the best way of improving the
standards and quality of care, along with securing better terms and
conditions for staff.
- If asked why we
are using skeletons in the protest we can say that pensioners only make
the headlines when they die, but the failure of our care system is going
on every day and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Practical points
·
The
materials for the Skeleton Protest can be acquired locally, or you can order
them from the following websites:
·
The
campaign poster for the day is A3 and can be stuck onto cardboard so that the
skeleton can wear it around their neck (see picture). The A4 template for the
poster is included with this briefing.
·
Start
planning now and let the NPC office know what you are doing so that we can
build up a picture of activities across the country. We will use this
information as part of a national press statement.
·
We
are keen to join with members of those unions whose members are involved in the
delivery of social care: Unite, Unison and GMB. Many of these will have their
own local retired members that may come along and get involved on the day. Try
to make contact with these local branches either directly or through the local
trades union council in your area and ask for their help.
·
Make
sure you get a picture of your protest and send it to us so that we can use it
in future campaign work.
For more information
If
you need any further information contact the NPC National Officer, Neil
Duncan-Jordan on info@npcuk.org or T:
07432-575251.
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