Remembering Cardon: His 78th Birthday

Today, 11th June 2020, would have been Cardon Banfield’s 78th Birthday.

It has been just under 4 years since he was found in a tent on the banks of Worcester’s River Severn and today is a stark reminder that a real person who had so much experience, love and compassion was tragically lost in the most tragic way.

Since 2016, the #JusticeForCardon Campaign has continued to get answers and hold people accountable for the mistakes made in the run-up to Cardon’s body being found and also in the aftermath:

• We must not forget it was Worcester City Council’s policy to not review his death until another rough sleeper in the City had died. It was also the City Council who commissioned a report into his death, missing out key elements like the changeover of services 3 months before his body was found – and that this report was not independent, like the Council claimed.
• It is largely thought that Maggs Day Centre were the last organisation to see Cardon Banfield alive, but did not pass on his information to the new rough sleeper service.
• The Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board twice declined to investigate Cardon’s case because apparently his case didn’t meet the threshold for a Safeguarding Adults Review.

The failures of these services before and after Cardon’s death have left a shadowy legacy, but it is the mission of the JFC Campaign and the Cardon Banfield Foundation to ensure Cardon is remembered for the positive contribution he made to this world whilst holding feet to the fire of those who disregarded his death or this movement.

Before I leave this tribute with the prayer Cardon’s niece posted today, I want to give an important update on the Safeguarding Adults Review. Over the last week, I have been asking the Safeguarding Board for the names of the organisations who will look over the final report and I have been given some names with others just what sectors they are from (voluntary, care home etc). The Chair of the Board, Derek Benson, declined to reveal these names – even though some other organisations have been named.

I have made sure to challenge this to make sure the whole process is transparent and await a response. Do make sure you check back on here and our social media to see the response.

Thank you for reading this post and supporting the JFC Campaign.

Lastly, I leave you with the poem Faith Felix, Cardon’s niece, put on social media whilst paying tribute to her uncle:

Happy Birthday Cardon and
Olive Banfield

#JusticeForCardon EXCLUSIVE: Chair of Adult Safeguarding Board has NOT ever checked CCP transition plan submitted to @myworcester City Council

We can exclusively reveal today that Derek Benson, Chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board, has not ever checked the Transition Plan of the CCP Tender:

The Transition Plan is one bit of the CCP successful bid to Worcester City Council (released under FOI) which was fully redacted to the public on the grounds of “commercial sensitivity”. The Campaign maintains that is redacted segment of the Bid is the key to see whether there has been an attempt to cover-up the true reasons Cardon Banfield was found partially-mummified in a tent in July 2016.

The Campaign and Matt Downie from Crisis will be meeting Derek on Wednesday 10th April in Worcester to discuss this in more detail.

Campaign Response to death of Malvern rough sleeper Remigiusz Boczarski:

The Hugo’s Earthquake Campaign are shocked to see the Worcester News article stating a rough sleeper in Malvern has died. Remigiusz Boczarski, 40, is believed to have taken his own life on the Malvern Hills on October 30th 2018.

This is the second death of a person who was living on the street since April 2016 and the new homeless service run by CCP and commissioned by Worcester City Council using taxpayers money. We continue to be very concerned that there is still not sufficient support available for rough sleepers in the county of Worcestershire. In response to the death of Cardon Banfield who was found dead in a tent in July 2016 on the banks of the River Severn in Worcester, the City Council commissioned a report to look into what can be done.

One recommendation listed is Worcester City Council will undertake an investigation as soon as possible when there has been a death of a rough sleeper and Hugo’s Earthquake directly asks David Blake, Marc Bayliss and Nina Warrington to carry this out immediately. Head of Press and Communications for the Campaign, Duncan Cushenan:

“It is vital we do not repeat the same mistakes again by not investigating a death of a rough sleeper on the streets of Worcestershire. The City Council must show how serious it is to tackle homelessness and Managing Director David Blake should direct his Officers to carry one out now.

We are also calling on Healthwatch Worcestershire to ask the Chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Derek Benson to follow the recent change to Government Policy and ensure a Safeguarding Adults Review is taken place alongside the City Council investigation. We must establish all the facts surrounding Remigiusz Boczarski’s death as an absolute priority.”

At the time of release, Hugo’s Earthquake Campaign have made initial enquiries with CCP about whether he was known to their homeless service and are awaiting a response from Service Manager, Ross Webber*. The Campaign stresses it wants to work productively with organisations including the City Council and CCP to help improve services for the homeless in Worcestershire and would welcome any discussion by emailing d.cushenan@hugosearthquake.org.

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Published at 23.00 on 02/12/18 by Press Office

UPDATED: *This article was updated at 17.00 on 03/12/18 to correct Ross’ name. It is Webber and not Thompson like previously stated

Press Statement by @HugosEarthquake Campaign in response to not hold a SAR into Cardon Banfield’s death for 2nd time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A second application for an Safeguarding Adults Review into Cardon Banfields death made on behalf of the Campaign has been rejected.

This was the unanimous decision of the members present at the meeting which include the organisations of Worcestershire County Council, Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Maggs Day Centre, Rooftop Housing Group and other independent providers.

This decision was reached as it was felt that the criteria for an SAR was not met, a decision supported by the Independent Chair, Derek Benson.

It was reached on Thursday 23rd August to review evidence that had been submitted to them though they also considered the recent Worcester City Council Review.

Hugo’s Earthquake Campaign supports the current Government Policy (September 2018) of holding a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) for every homeless death and encourage Mr Benson and the organisations which sit on the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board to reconsider and initiate a SAR into 74 year-old Mr Banfield’s death.

Hugo’s Earthquake Press Office | Statement released 20.09.18 13.45 BST

Written by Duncan Cushenan, Head of Press Office, PR and Communications

Response by #JusticeForCardon Campaigner @HugoSugg to not hold a SAR into Cardon Banfield’s death:

“I am appalled by the decision again not to hold a Safeguarding Adults Review into Cardon’s death. The Safeguarding Board are showing complete contempt for a 74 year old’s life and the memory of him. His family deserve to have the answers as to why he was left to die 3 months after being supported by a perfectly capable, working service. Derek Benson, the Board Chair, is siding with organisations that have a stake in not wanting to do a review. They have a reputation to uphold but the longer they don’t investigate Cardon’s death, the longer I will ensure that they cannot get away with letting down a Windrush citizen who contributed, worked and lived in our society.

I encourage Derek Benson to override the decision not to hold a SAR and initiate one immediately, in line with Government Policy to hold a SAR for every homeless death.”

Hugo Sugg,

#JusticeForCardon Campaigner