As part of our concern to support disabled people in achieving greater independence DaCE was involved in setting up a Direct Payments scheme in Cumbria from 2000-2002. This has proven to be a fairly successful scheme with over 500 service users now receiving Direct Payments and taking advantage of the choice and flexibility a direct payment offers. In 2001 we won a Community Care Award for the support service we established.

We run the Direct Payments Support Service which supports people interested in trying a direct payment, as well as providing them with the information they need to make a decision about whether a direct payment is right for them.

Last year we were awarded a contract by Cumbria's Adult Social Care Directorate to provide the service for three years until March 2009.

The service is managed on a day-to-day basis by two Co-ordinators, Julie Evans in the south (pictured below)

and Lynn Craig in the north(below)

We have Advisers located in different parts of the County so that advice and support is local and easily accessible. In the Carlisle area the Advisers are now based in the Centre for Independent Living, Port Road.  

Since July 2005 we have been providing a wider range of support offering Direct Payments users access to ongoing support to help them manage their direct payment.  This includes support workers who assist Direct Payments users with the responsibilities of managing a direct payment.

To find out more about Direct Payments e-mail FWilenius@aol.com, or call 01228 672398.

Support Service contact details:

Barrow & South Lakes, e-mail dpsupportjulie@aol.com or call 0845 1249303,

West Cumbria, e-mail nnylcr@aol.com or telephone 0845 1249401, 

Carlisle & Eden call 01228606483, email philwaltersdace@aol.com (Phil Walters) or kieronpark@aol.com (Kieron Park).  

To speak to an Adviser or to obtain more information about Direct Payments call our office on 0845 1249300. 

To apply for a direct payment you should contact Cumbria Adult Social Care Directorate: in the Carlisle area call 01228 227000 (e-mail carlislessd@cumbriacc.gov.uk) or in Eden call 01768 242242, (e-mail penrithssd@cumbriacc.gov.uk).

Direct Payments DVD

A few years ago we produced a 15 minute promotional dvd called 'Who's the Boss - Taking Control with Direct Payments'. The dvd includes a wide range of Direct Payments users talking about their experiences of using Direct Payments and how it has affected their lives. If you live in Cumbria and would like to borrow a copy contact the Direct Payments Advisers or email DaCEbase@aol.com and we will send it free of charge.