Today’s demo as usual started at 10am when I arrived. Already waiting for me were a few people awaiting their food parcels. I hate having to make people wait, but it was only a few minutes and I spent the time talking to them to see if there was any updates on their situations. The queue grew larger and for those not believing me I will post a photo below. 

The first couple that I spoke to are very vulnerable. The lady is heavily pregnant and is due her baby in approximately four weeks. We have helped her as much as possible and she is now waiting for her money to arrive in her bank which will hopefully be Thursday, but like they realise they can’t depend on this. 

They had ran out of electric and I couldn’t see her and a possible new baby go cold. It’s very cold at the moment. So I gave them money for electric and also the food parcel. 

They have been accessing all local help and are getting hot meals locally. I’ve really taken to this couple. Their situation is complicated and I admire their strength of character. She also has everything that they need for the baby. I’m awaiting positive news before next week’s demo. I often stop and talk to them during the week and have a cuppa with them. I know what it’s like I’ve been there. 

We had alot of people asking for advice regarding failed ESA medicals (Employment Support Allowance). I’ve noticed that alot more people locally are being failed recently and are being made to suffer because they are ill or disabled in some way. Advice was given, signposting given and solidarity. This is very important. 

A chap suffering from schizophrenia stopped to talk to us. He’s having a hard time, although it’s hard to say what exactly has happened. He isnt well and is struggling to remember and comprehend some things. He struggles with letters. But we advised him, showed him compassion and told him that he’s very welcome to come and chat to us at any time. He shouldn’t be punished because he is ill. His life is valuable. 

A street homeless chap joined us for a while. It was a pleasure speaking to him. He was a wealth of knowledge and is trying to sort his life put despite the DWP trying to mess it up. He said that he’s doing his best to stay strong and is accessing local help. He said that tries to travel to Manchester at some point in the week because there is more hep there for him. He realises that our town is only small, and he is concerned that Street homeless people are travelling from Manchester to Ashton and we don’t have the resources. He’s correct. He does advise them to stay in Manchester. I hope that he stays strong and we see him again next week. He told me that word had got round that we are a nice group of people and that we are easy to talk to and aren’t judgemental. 

We spoke to many people today, took a person for a cuppa with us after the demo and gave some help and advice. A really lovely person. 

On Tuesday we also did an extra pop up demo in support of a street homeless man who was badly treated by our local Housing Advice department. Their compassion is akin to that of Teresa May’s. Not many turned up but we were there and the solidarity was strong. 

My week has also been very busy, all unpaid. But it’s very important to get the word out there. I had an interview with RT news on one of their channels named Going Underground.

https://www.rt.com/shows/going-underground/378715-uk-public-committee-bafta/

They were fab and I think that it went well. 
I also had another article published in The Morning Star. I will also post a link to this also. 
https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/tb472df-charlotte-hughes

I had a fantastic interview with one of the amazing women from the brilliant Crossroads Centre in London. They do amazing work there and I always feel inspired to do more positive work after meeting and talking to them. One day I might be able to afford to spend a day in London and be able to visit their centre. 

I’ve also had lots of other issues to deal with and I haven’t stopped. To give an example my typical day this week has consisted of me leaving my home at 8.20 am for the long school walk and returning home with my daughter at around 6pm ish. For anyone that says activists are lazy, I’d like to see them spend a week as I do. 

I’m also arranging with the other women in out group an event for International Women’s week. We will be holding a banner in solidarity and maybe wearing something symbolic in solidarity. We haven’t decided as to what yet. This will show our support for the international women’s strike. 

I have managed, after a slight struggle to obtain tickets from my local Unite Community union branch for the transport via train to the NHS March in London on Saturday. Please note that it’s free and I am not loaded. We will be taking sandwiches.
My daughter is very keen on supporting this march, as am I. They saved my oldest daughters life on more than one occasion last year. 

I’m as tired as you can get, demands are high as times get harder. The team are extremely supportive but it’s hard work! But I love it. Helping others and empowering others to fight this vindictive government is the best medicine that I could ever have.
I’m also still struggling with technology so please be patient with me. For myself and most people that I know, we seem to be finding everything a struggle. But that’s life! 

Some of the Queue for the food parcels. Yes this does happen. We could stand there all day and constantly hand food parcels out. 

Please donate if you can. I’ve done much more than this this week, but I would bore you with all of that. It’s a full time job but I can’t abandon people that need help. We have become a necessity. As a result I’ve paid a big price, but I don’t expect sympathy it’s just the way that it is. 
Remember that every life matters, not just the ones that the government deem as being important! 

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