Claire Goldfinch is the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for Broadstairs.

Full statement

Claire has resided in Thanet all of her life, attended secondary school in Broadstairs,
and then the Thanet Technical College (now East Kent College) to study Social
Care/Caring Services (B-Tec ND).
Claire has worked in a variety of care settings including the elderly, physically
disabled, learning disabilities, specialist education, and in the community within care
homes, schools and private homes. She is currently a full-time carer for her mother
and sister.
On a personal level Claire has extensive life experience of the autistic spectrum –
having several autistic family members – and related comorbidities. All her life, Claire
has advocated for better access for disabled members of her family as well as others
in the community.
Claire’s sister attends East Kent Mencap’s day resource centre, a vital service
without whose support Claire says the family would be lost. She strives to ensure
that those with learning disabilities have a voice and choice, and are heard. She is
also passionate about the improvement and efficiency of disabled access for a
variety of disabilities in Thanet, including wheelchair users. She wants to secure
adequate support and advice for carers as well.
Claire is also keen on making community services for survivors of domestic and
sexual violence more accessible, and increasing their level of outreach and support.
Additionally Claire aims to establish further community services for mental health
support, where the NHS may fall short due to long waiting times. Claire feels that
these three policies go hand-in-hand as they are all to do with championing
members of the community who are often invisible or left behind.