Video category: Self directed support

Self directed support is the process by which the individual has choice and control over the support they need to live their life as independently as possible.

Ian was struck down with a severe illness. He talks about his experience of self directed support and using direct payments and the Kent Card.

View a written transcript of the 'Ian's story' video.

image: Julia's story

Julia's story
Julia has bipolar disorder. She explains how direct payments have helped her to stabilise her life by funding her fine art course.

image: Joyce

Joyce's Enablement story
Joyce explains how Kent's Enablement service has helped her to remain independent in her own home.

image: Donna's story Donna's story
Donna has a form of dwarfism. She explains the importance that building her own support plan has had, and describes how things have worked out, including tweaks that she has had to make along the way.

image: owen

Owen's Support Planning story
Owen discusses why writing his own Support Plan was so important.

image: Martyn's story

Martyn's story
Martyn is deafblind. He uses direct payments to employ a personal assistant.

image: Mabel and Sue Mabel and Sue's story
Mabel was the first in Kent to receive an enablement service. Her daughter Sue was able to adapt her home to accommodate Mabel's specific needs.

image: Harold's story Harold's story
Harold's wife has dementia and he cares for her full time. He explains how a £200 one-off carer's grant payment has made a difference to him and his wife.

image: Joyce Joyce's story
Joyce relates how her confidence has improved since the fast track equipment service provided her with a walker/trolley to help her get back on her feet.