What do people think about Self Directed Support?
Here are some stories from people who have been through the Self Directed Support (SDS) process in Richmond.
Gurdev – an older person service user
Gurdev is an older person from Twickenham who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. His wife is also his Carer.
How did you find the SDS process?
It’s marvellous. My Care Manager has helped us a lot and with that help my wife gets a break about 8 hours a week.
What did you spend your Personal Budget on?
We like to go for walks so I bought proper shoes for myself and my wife. We’re also able to employ my relatives to sit with me and save some money for emergencies.
How has SDS made a difference to your life?
I can’t explain how grateful we are for it. When you are older, your income is very limited and you can’t afford everything and it’s given us a break.
What advice would you give other people going through this process?
It’s great that the Council is there to help but we have to be positive. It’s not always the money. My wife makes the effort to take me for walks and we read a lot to find out what’s the best for food and exercise and relaxing.
Englellusche – a mental health service user
Engjellusche is a 40-year-old woman who suffers from severe depression and anxiety. She’s a single parent of an 11 year old son.
How did you find the SDS process?
It was helpful for me because I could see that it was for my own good, to help me to cope with my son and to encourage me to go out.
What did you spend your Personal Budget on?
I went to Kosovo with my son to see my parents. I had some money for college courses to go out with my son and to have some days out myself.
How has SDS made a difference to your life?
It’s much easier now. When my son asks me if I can go out with him, the money makes it easier for us to go out. Before this I was staying in the house all the time. On holiday I had peace and quiet, nothing made me upset. I saw my parents again. My sister helped me and showed me how to be with my son. I was able to talk to my son without getting upset. I’m going to a book keeping class and a touch typing computer class which will help me to get a job when I’m better.
What advice would you give other people going through this process?
I got a lot of help and still am from people who are supporting me. If anyone else is in the same situation, they can get a lot of help too.
It’s changed my life a lot. I’m still not 100% but I’m a lot calmer. My memory’s still bad and it’s hard to concentrate sometimes but I can cope with college because I get extra help in the classroom.
Bill - Carer
Bill is the Carer for Beti, an older person who suffers from vascular dementia.
How did you find the SDS process?
Overall it was really good. There were some snags but it’s been really helpful.
What did you spend your Personal Budget on?
I was able to get Beti extra home care and we were eventually able to get her into full-time care.
How has SDS made a difference to your life?
It’s good to know that there’s someone looking after Beti when I can’t be there. She suffers from vascular dementia and sometimes doesn’t know what’s going on. We bought her a microwave, but she’s just never seemed to get her head around using it, so it’s helpful that someone’s there to make sure she’s eating and living in a clean place. My wife and I work and can’t always be there, so it’s nice to know she’s being taken care of.