Tahara and Toni - Direct Payments In Action
Tahara Azam and Toni Barker are dynamic and active people in their 30s. They spent their early years at boarding schools for children with special needs before living at Downside residential care home and Templars Lodge.
Although they gradually achieved greater independence they were still restricted by the schedules and hours of carers before joining the Direct Payments scheme.
Tahara's story
Tahara, 36, was born with a muscular condition which requires her to be a full time wheel chair user. The structured way in which home support is currently offered means scheduled calls for waking up and going to bed. For a woman in her thirties, going to bed at 9.30pm is very frustrating!
Two years ago, Tahara took the chance to change her lifestyle dramatically by opting for direct payments from the Council. She now employs personal assistants who work to her schedule so she is in total control of her life and day planning.
Tahara said: “I have greater flexibility in my life now and was able to take up a six month course in Performing Arts at a London university. “A few months ago I was able to fulfil a long held desire to go to Edinburgh to celebrate the New Year. I can now socialise, go bowling, indulge in painting or get up and go to bed whenever I want to and I am thrilled to have the freedom to plan my own day.”
Toni's story
Another service user, Toni, 33, said: “In 2003 I found out about Direct Payments from the Berkshire Disability Information Network (BDIN) and thought that it would really give me more choice to live a lifestyle of my choosing. I can now enjoy going to the theatre and art exhibitions, or to pursue my hobbies whereas before this would have been extremely difficult to arrange. My life is enriched and fulfilled with Direct Payments.”
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