The Government has promised that the elderly, frail and most vulnerable will not be affected by the economic cuts they are having to make for mistakes which were not of our making but for which the nation is being asked to pay.

Gloucestershire County council has also promised that this particular group will not be subjected to economic cuts, according to the chief executive, Peter Bungard.

If you, a family member, friend or elderly neighbour have been in receipt of care and support via the agency of the Social Services you may, therefore, be misled into thinking that your situation will not change and you be able to continue to rely on the help which has made your life a little more tolerable.

You may receive a call from the Community and Adult Care Directorate telling you that care in the community has changed and asking if they can come and see you to conduct a re-assessment of your needs, They may ask you what would make your life more tolerable and bearable and these will be duly listed. The Assessment team visit will then say how many hours of care and support you may need in your particular circumstances. You may be reassured that nothing will change.

Next, you will receive a visit from the Support Planning and Brokerage team who will tell you exactly what hours of reduced care and support you are actually going to receive. They will offer you alternatives for you to explore to replace the help you have been receiving. They will talk about creating "Your Circle" from all the agencies about which they have given you information and tell you that there are others on the Internet- like shopping channels for you to do your shopping on-line so you do not need anyone to shop for you or to take you to the shops.

Your hopes for an enhancement of your daily struggle will be ignored. It is on paper and it will stay there to show they asked. They have ticked the box.

You will be told that there are many voluntary organisations who can supply your needs – except that when you enquire from the organisations suggested you will find the help they can offer is very limited, not feasible in your circumstances or there are not the volunteers available.

So you will find that when you have explored all the channels suggested, you are the loser. However, they have ticked their boxes that you have been informed and the choice is yours whether you follow it through.

If you write and complain it will go through a tortuous route of reassessment and another visit from the Brokerage team.

You will be told that there is only so much funding and that this has to be spread over a wide area. However, if I give you money for a loaf of bread I do not expect you to spend it elsewhere, so this argument does not wash. We have been told that the councils have been given the money by the government. The council has promised that this group will not be penalised with cuts. So it should be.

However, if your funding has been cut, if your care and support has been withdrawn, do not accept it. It is obscene that the most frail and vulnerable in society are being targeted in this way. If you have a frail and vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour, help them to write letters of protest to their MP, the Prime Minister and his deputy (it is no use writing to other MP's because they have made a rule not to answer letters from other MP's constituents although they may pass your letter on). Write also to local and county councillors and MP's in opposition. Remember how Mark Harper was so active – when he was in opposition?

Ask your doctor, hospital consultant, district nurse, physiotherapist or other medical authority to write to the chairman, Tony Hicks of the Community and Adult Care Directorate at County Hall, voicing their opinion of your needs. Write to Peter Bungard and remind him of his promise.

Set out your letter with your name, age, health problems and how much care and support you have been receiving and how this has been changed. Say how you have relied on this help and what it has meant to your quality of life. Say whether the alternatives that have been suggested are possible or feasible for your situation. Keep to the point. Keep the letter brief, and do not ramble. Keep a copy and a list of who you have written to and note if you receive a reply. Keep all the letters in a file.

You can find out from the internet, or get someone to do it for you, the name and addresses of people to write to, The site will show postal address, telephone number, surgery times and internet contact.

Contact the relevant central government department and the relevant officers of the social services. Ask your local Citizen Advice Bureau for advice. Keep writing until you get satisfaction.

Write to your local newspaper about how the cuts have affected you. They are always interested in a personal story and this issue affects so many who have no voice.

Use the website www. writetothem.com to write to councillors, MP's, MEP's and regional representatives.

Complain about your representative to their local party. They have the power to deselect them as a candidate for the next election.

Remember your vote is power on which they depend.

And, above all, remind them of their public promise to safeguard and protect the frail, the elderly and vulnerable. Shame them by exposing the lies and deceit that are being used. Show them you are not the easy target they thought. You have given your life and work to this country, paid your taxes and dues. You deserve better.

– Jean Brodie, Littledean Hill Road, Cinderford.