We have assembled a group of Direct Payment user experience stories. For further information on what Direct Payments can be used for or to share your own stories, please contact our Direct Payments Team
Kyle's Direct Payment Story
Kyle is a nonverbal autistic singer from Cornwall. Kyle receives a Direct Payment from Cornwall Council. Through creative support planning he uses this to pay for his music lessons.
Following the discovery that he could sing in 2011 after living most of his life in silence, Kyle recorded and released his debut album, 'Therefore I Am'. This is a collection of his favourite songs, which features one track written especially for him, entitled ' Just Listen'.
Since then, by request, Kyle has performed a number of small gigs throughout the Southwest UK. Kyle's confidence and communication skills continue to develop week on week. He has built up a following the world over who have been inspired by his extraordinary talent and his music.
During 2013/14 Kyle has been working with vocal coaches and a UK music producer. An album of original material has been written especially for him.
His second album 'Beyond The Syntax' was released in April 2014.
R's Direct Payment Story
Our son has been in receipt of direct payment for 14 years. This has enabled him to have a varied and fulfilled life which would not have been possible without the flexibility of direct payments. With this funding and the help of his parents he has created a week which he enjoys and give him purpose. With the direct of good PA's his week composes of a cardboard recycling service, voluntary work, time at the gym, all of which he does with friends and not forgetting the monthly pub night.
W's Direct Payment Story
Our son W, who is 27, has Noonan's Syndrome, Autism learning disabilities and other complex medical needs and cannot live independently.
One of his obsessions is trains and particularly, the Great Western Railway.
The GWR team at Truro has been very supportive of W and has provided him with a 'work experience' placement since he left Truro College 9 years ago.
He 'works' at Truro station, with PA support on Mondays and Fridays, being out from 9 until 3. He undertakes a range of duties including keeping the station clean, looking after the plants, and assisting passengers.
In 2020, GWR held an 'Excellence Awards' competition for staff across the region. The Truro station staff entry was 'Inclusion' based around their support for W and other young people.
They were the overall winners and W went along to Bristol for the weekend with his PA, the station manager, and Truro station staff to receive their awards.
W also has 5 hours of PA support at weekends which invariably involves a train trip on GWR.
W also enjoys cooking and gardening and has a placement at the Kehelland Trust near Camborne funded by his Direct Payments.
He goes there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, travelling by train from Truro station.
W has a great relationship with Truro station staff with whom he has contact six days a week and Truro station provides a real 'safe space' for him.
When he is not out, W spends all his time, either on his computer, looking at train related websites and videos or checking his several 'live' train departure boards to check on the train services.
He would do this all the time if he didn't receive his Direct Payment to fund his 'supported lifestyle'.
J's Direct Payment Story
J, a 75-year-old with mobility challenges, wants to continue living in his home. J enjoys gardening and spending time with his neighbours. This is important to him, so when he was assessed, the information helped create a support plan just for him. The plan includes Direct Payments to hire a Personal Assistant who assists him with gardening and taking him to local social events. This allowed J to stay active in his community.
S's Direct Payment Story
S enjoys staying in touch with family and friends, he finds face to face communication difficult and at times overwhelming. S loves art, theme parks and going to the gym.
His iPad, which he used to communicate, was broken. Through Direct Payments, Adult Social Care helped pay for a new one, which S also contributed to. This allowed him to connect with his community and enjoy his passion for art, which helped improve his wellbeing.
S also has PA’s who he sees as friends who help him access the community his way. S enjoys the gym, which is good for his physical and emotional wellbeing. To meet this personal outcome, he was able to rent a garage space and create a gym area where he could be supported by his PA’s to keep fit in a safe space.
D's Direct Payment Story
In his early 80’s, D has lived on his own since his wife died 20 years ago. He has been a keen and prolific gardener for decades; his garden was admired by the neighbours who would talk to him when he was out there. He became depressed as he could not keep on top of it, and had got to the stage where he could not look out of the window. He needed support with getting his shoes and socks on in the morning and had a wet room previously fitted for his wife so he can shower.
D used his budget to hire a Personal Assistant and buy materials to create a raised garden. This allows him to use his passion and skills in gardening, connect with his community, and feel better overall.