No help for disabled man in tent protest

A Disabled man who is camping on his doorstep in a protest over a lack of support from local agencies has been told he will not receive any more help.

David Boswell pitched a tent at the front of the flat owned by Three Valleys Housing three weeks ago because it is reached by steps and has become dirty and run down. The 57-year-old, who walks with the aid of a stick, wants to be moved from the flat in Monyash Close, Ilkeston, to a bungalow and also wants a carer to visit his home to help him.

But yesterday Three Valleys Housing said his requests would not be met following an investigation into his living requirements, by its officials, the social services department and Derbyshire County Council's mental health team.

Mr Boswell, who has several health problems and who cannot read or write, has pledged to carry on his protests following the decision.

He said he felt neglected by the authorities. He added: "I'm not getting any help and cannot live in the flat. My friend came round to help me clean the flat but it is still very dirty.

"I have a bad cough that won't go away and when I go in the flat my chest gets tight."

Neighbour Paul Wright said he was disgusted by decision. He said: "I can't believe that nothing is to be done. David's got the mental age of a seven-year-old and he hasn't been told what help he is entitled to. No-one wants to take responsibility."

Mr Wright (43) said that he and other neighbours had been preparing food for Mr Boswell during his three-week protest.

He added: "David isn't able to look after himself properly.I wouldn't trust him alone with a cooker.He needs someone to visit him at least a couple of times a week and help him tidy up and manage himself. He sleeps in the tent at night and I've put a safety heater in there to keep him warm. Something needs to be done to help."

Mr Boswell invited the Evening Telegraph to his flat to see what condition it was in. The flat had no furniture except for two dirty and old settees. The floor and walls were covered in grime and dirt, which filled the flat with a very strong nauseating odour. The bathroom was also dirty and the toilet seat had broken off. The kitchen was too dirty to prepare food without risking health problems.

Neighbour Sheila Toms (62) said Mr Boswell camping outside his flat was causing an eyesore in the area. She added: "The situation should be sorted out as soon as possible."

A Derbyshire County Council spokesman said it had been in contact with its mental health team who had assessed him and were currently looking at how to meet his needs. A spokesman for Three Valleys Housing said he understood that members of Mr Boswell's family had offered him support to help him furnish the flat so he could return to live there. He added: "Following our instigation of a number of assessments of Mr Boswell's needs by the social services department and the mental health team, we understand that Mr Boswell has been informed that he does not meet the criteria for support from the aforementioned agencies. "Based on the information they have supplied to us, we have re-assessed his application for a transfer but have found that he does not warrant any additional priority for a move."