Direct Payments Interview

Interview with Chris Passey about Direct Payments

By Philip Hawley
Question 1: What do you use your direct payment for?

I use my direct payment to employ Jennifer. She is my support worker for 15 hours a week.

We do all sorts of things, like go into town, bowling, going to bingo and going to my local club on Saturday nights

On Tuesday morning Jenny comes with me to Belle Isle Foundation, where I do a money skills course. Different people can use direct payments in different ways.

Question 2: What made you decide to use direct payments and why?

I don't like going to a day centre all the time. I have some good friends there, but there wasn't enough for me to do. I've already done all the college courses that are interesting and there wasn't anything left for me to learn. Now I have direct payments I just go to the centre on Wednesday mornings and do other things the rest of the week.

Question 3: How do you feel about direct payments?

I think they are good. They give me a choice. It helps me to do something different. With direct payments, if you want to do something, you do it.

Question 4: How did you go about finding your support worker?

We found Jenny by word of mouth. We had already met and knew each other.

Question 5: What are the good things and bad things about your support worker?

She understands me and what I try to do. We have some of the same interests and tastes. We can talk about films and the latest music. She doesn't mind going to bingo with me. Jenny is good because she can work flexible times. The bad side about having a support worker is when she has to go home.

Question 6: Are there any bad things about direct payments?

Pat, Chris' Mum: Direct payments expects a lot from a carer. I employ Jennifer on Chris' behalf and it can take up quite a bit of time to sort out. It also took a long time to set up. Direct payments just show how much carers are expected to do for free and how badly treated we are. I do what paid people do, but for free.

Question 7: If you could change anything about direct payments what would you change?

Pat: I would like to be able to pay the support worker for a few more hours a week so they can sort the direct payments things out. I lose a morning a month having to travel into town to sort out the direct payments.

Question 8: Would you recommend direct payments to somebody?

Chris: We already recommend direct payments to friends. It gives me more control over my life.

Pat: Direct payments means that people aren't stuck in with their parents all weekend. It means people can have their own life and do their own thing.

If you would like more information on Direct Payments contact
Elizabeth at Real Life Options on  270 7020 or
Leeds Centre for Integrated Living on  214 3595.

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