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They (the Mental Health Professionals) don’t really know what to diagnose
me with. I’ve been through many different ‘cocktails’ of medication,
depending on which ‘diagnosis’ I have been given at that time. I am now as
confused as anyone! These days when I turn up to see my psychiatrist, it’s
like
“So, what is my diagnosis today doc?!!!”
I felt so alone in my own space and was really fed up. I’d spent so many
years battling my demons with the support of traditional services, (they help to
a degree, but don/t get to the nitty gritty; i.e. they just help to keep me afloat;
although psychotherapy was extremely useful in helping me to deal with
some of my issues).
Then I heard about Self Directed Support (SDS) and thought
I am my care coordinator's first candidate for SDS, as well as being the first
Service User from Purley CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) to try
SDS on the grounds of mental health. My CPN sold the idea of SDS to me
as:
“My chance to make real changes to my treatment by receiving a set
amount of money to spend as I want, in ways that I feel will help me most”.
SDS means that I can choose my own care; care that will be relevant to ME,
(whatever my diagnosis). For example, the worst time of the day for me is
the evenings – CMHT’s don’t cover these hours, and I end up going to A&E,
waiting for 5 hours, only to sit with someone for 5 minutes while they talk at
me before sending me on my merry way!
With SDS, I have been allocated a budget, and I can use this money how I
want to, in ways that I feel will support me best.
I can be as creative as I like, and really think outside the box (i.e. outside of
traditional services). For example, I think it would help me to have someone
to stay over at my house during the night sometimes. I suffer from serious
nightmares and the nighttimes are especially bad for rumination.
I would also like to have someone to come on holiday with me, both as a
companion and for support. With SDS, this could be possible.
Other support might include having someone to come over for a chat once a
week.
(NB: If YOU decide NOT to manage your own money you can ask
Croydon Council to manage your budget and arrange services for
you. You could also nominate a representative who you know and
trust well such as a family member or friend. There is also lots of
support for people who want to manage their budget independently
from the Direct Payment Support Service:
Direct Payments Support Service:
Tel: 020 8684 5538
directpayments@disabilitycroydon.org.uk
“SDS allows people to take full control over their support needs.
People can choose to continue with their existing support or use their
personal budget for other types of services, such as going out on day
trips rather than attend day centres. A person can choose to continue
to have services provided for them through their care coordinator or
take control of their budget via direct payment or have a combination
of the two. A personal budget is allocated according to your needs,
taking in to account the type and impact of that need to a persons
independence. Not all needs would be eligible for a personal budget”.
Affy Wajid
SDS Operations Manager
13th Floor (South)
Taberner House
ext 63645
What the Support Broker said…………………
NICHOLA HARRIS creative way.
Independent This client chose to come to our
Support Broker: As office to put their own plan together,
a Broker part of our (this arrangement suited both broker
role is to assist clients and client).
in creating their own Creating a support plan can vary from
support plan. This person to person but with this particular
can be very different client it involved four meetings
from one person to another. Not all our including going out and filming their
Support Plans are created in the same favorite coffee place.
format (e.g. pictorial, PowerPoint), it is
entirely the choice of the individual. Being taken on this personal journey
with someone was a very refreshing,
However in this particular case the rewarding and an interesting and
client wanted their plan very unique experience for me. To see the
visual. Using the Person Centred motivation, enthusiasm, and
Planning Approach this included the commitment from my client who
implementation of PowerPoint slides, generally seemed excited about what
images, videos and music to give the the future may hold, and a life changing
client the opportunity to explore their experience for them, can only be a
needs and interests in a holistic and positive thing.
Nichola has had several years experience working alongside adults with mental
health problems within various voluntary organisations in Croydon. To learn more
about Nichola and the other Support Brokers, you can view their profiles by
visiting their website. www.cisbs.org.uk or contacting the Support Brokers:
NB: SDS will not suit everyone and not Address: CISBS
everybody is eligible. To find out whether Orchard House
or not you can apply for SDS: 15a Purley Road
South Croydon
Speak to your care coordinator if CR2 6EZ
you have one Tel: 020 8253 8210
Ask your GP to refer you to your Email: info@cisbs.org.uk
Community Mental Health Team
(CMHT)
Contact Croydon Social Services,
Department of Adult Services and
Housing, Tel: 020 8726 6500,
E-mail: SDS.team@croydon.gov.uk