Community Contacts, Argyll-based community project, is inviting local residents to celebration events to mark National Self-Directed Support Awareness week.
The title of the event is Tea, Cake and SDS [Self-Directed Support].
- The first is on 30th March in Lochgilphead, at 2pm in Lochgilphead Parish Church Centre, organised jointly by Community Contacts and MECOPP [Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project].
- The second is in Dunoon on 1st April at 2pm at Edward Street Community Centre, organised by Community Contacts.
Community Contacts is a project run by leading Scottish social care charity, Carr Gomm, to provide impartial advice and support to people about Self-Directed Support. MECOPP is running a similar project, to support carers from minority ethnic backgrounds. Both projects are funded by the Scottish Government.
Self-Directed Support
Self-Directed Support is an initiative that allows people to decide how much control they want of their individual care budget and allows them to have a say on how it is spent on their own care and support.
Tea, Cake and SDS is just one of many events taking place across the country to mark National SDS Awareness Week (30 March to 3 April). The aim of these events is to raise awareness of the changes to social care funding and delivery and how these may affect individuals and families.
Becs Barker, Community Contacts project manager and who has worked tirelessly to build the community contacts on which care support rests, says: ‘Self-Directed Support [SDS] gives people who need social care support more choice and control over their lives. Our project supports people and their families to think about SDS and the opportunities it brings.
‘The SDS approach is really exciting as it gives people the chance to make decisions about how their support services are organised, purchased and managed.
‘We’re holding the Tea, Cake and SDS events to celebrate the progress that has been made so far, and to explore how the SDS approach can make a positive impact in people’s lives.’
The events are open to everyone interested in finding out more about SDS. Community Contacts and MECOPP are particularly keen to welcome individuals who are already accessing Self-Directed Support as well as anyone who might be interested in doing so in the future. This will enable the helpful sharing of information and insights.
For further information about the events:
- contact Becs Barker [Community Contacts] on 07766 925388; or Lucy Arnot [MECOPP] on 07957 652413
- or visit the Community Contacts webpage here.
