The CEO of The Disability Syndicate & Disability Direct has urged disabled & older people as well as families affected by the recent announcements about day centre service closures to look at the benefits of using Personal Budgets to buy day care and activities from a variety of sources.

Amo Raju says

Naturally there are concerns about the gaps in day care activity and respite but the closures bring an opportunity to shape your own service around your own particular needs and interests. Perhaps they do not recognise it but individuals have the power to develop their own day activities and The Disability Syndicate are on hand to encourage and develop your ideas. If your allocated budget does not stretch as far as you would like then why not join up with others and pool your funds together? We have the tools to help make your day activity idea a reality with all the support you need to get it off the ground

10 years ago a small number of disabled people did just that and created Enabled Art which today has over 60 members each week buying their own activity with on-site care. Enabled Art is now part of The Disability Syndicate who look after all the back-room functions of the group, allowing the members to carry on doing what they enjoy! Another addition to the Disability Syndicate is New Horizons who offer support to people with more complex needs.

Amo continues

As the biggest Centre for independent living in the country The Syndicate are keen to talk to individuals about what they want to do with their budget. I am happy to offer our staff to help co-ordinate this. I look forward to helping create day activities that give the power and freedom of choice back to disabled people, where it firmly belongs