Real Life Stories
Making it Work
Self Directed Support has been improving peoples' lives in Leicestershire since the first pilots in 2009. There are many great examples of people who have used their Personal Budgets in creative ways to be able to liver a fuller and happier life.
Leicestershire’s First Personal Budget - Debbie and Colin [Word Document]
Debbie and Colin have used their Personal Budget to employ a home care agency to support them every morning and give Colin a break from his caring role.
Debbie and Colin have used their Personal Budget to employ a home care agency to support them every morning and give Colin a break from his caring role.
Mrs. Patel [Word Document]
Mrs Patel has Alzheimer’s disease and has significant care needs. While her son and daughter-in-law are her main carers, the family also employs other carers.
Mrs Patel has Alzheimer’s disease and has significant care needs. While her son and daughter-in-law are her main carers, the family also employs other carers.
Jacqui [Word Document]
Jacqui suffers from a personality disorder and depression, and often experienced episodes of crisis. For 7 years, Jacqui’s mental health support worker was the only support she had, and her mental health problems continued to persist, until recently...
Jacqui suffers from a personality disorder and depression, and often experienced episodes of crisis. For 7 years, Jacqui’s mental health support worker was the only support she had, and her mental health problems continued to persist, until recently...
Alice [Video Clip]
Alice is an older lady whose health and mental wellbeing deteriorated after her husband died. She became socially isolated, yet still fiercely proud of her independence, until she fell and broke her hip. With the support of a friendly team of people that she employs, she has found a new lease of life, and continues to live independently in her own home.
Alice is an older lady whose health and mental wellbeing deteriorated after her husband died. She became socially isolated, yet still fiercely proud of her independence, until she fell and broke her hip. With the support of a friendly team of people that she employs, she has found a new lease of life, and continues to live independently in her own home.
Alex [Video Clip]
Alex is a young man with learning disabilities that has recently moved from children's social care to adults' social care. He wants to use his Personal Budget to go out and do the things he wants, when he wants. He also likes to be able to prepare meals for his family, to take some pressure off them, and plans to take an evening cookery class.
Alex is a young man with learning disabilities that has recently moved from children's social care to adults' social care. He wants to use his Personal Budget to go out and do the things he wants, when he wants. He also likes to be able to prepare meals for his family, to take some pressure off them, and plans to take an evening cookery class.
Bali [Video Clip]
Bali is severely physically disabled, but still wants to be able to do as much as he can for himself. Having a cash budget has enabled him to employ a Personal Assistant to help take some of the pressure off of his wife, and he has been able to get computer equipment that he can control with movements of his head and eyes.
Bali is severely physically disabled, but still wants to be able to do as much as he can for himself. Having a cash budget has enabled him to employ a Personal Assistant to help take some of the pressure off of his wife, and he has been able to get computer equipment that he can control with movements of his head and eyes.
Sue [Video Clip]
Receiving her money directly has completely changed Sue's life. She is blind and has spent most of her life in institutional care. Employing a team of Personal Assistants now enables her to live independently, in her own flat, and they can support her to do the things she enjoys, like going to the theatre, or even sailing. She has learned how to use a computer, and has even made her own website, where you can read more about her experiences.
Receiving her money directly has completely changed Sue's life. She is blind and has spent most of her life in institutional care. Employing a team of Personal Assistants now enables her to live independently, in her own flat, and they can support her to do the things she enjoys, like going to the theatre, or even sailing. She has learned how to use a computer, and has even made her own website, where you can read more about her experiences.
External links
Self Directed Support is part of a national programme, and many other local authorities have great examples of how Personal Budgets have been used to improve peoples' lives. More examples from around the country can be found on these useful websites:
Page Last Updated: 17 October 2011
