Afton, at the time of our involvement, was a 16-year-old, who used her individual budget through Self-Directed Support to hire peers to help her live a full life. Afton has limited verbal communication, so her mother shared her story.
“Afton had a Direct Payment, and we were transitioning to SDS. The agency we used before sent older women who took her shopping, which she hated. One did take her horse riding, which she loved, but the rest wasn’t working for her. We wanted to change things up.”
How the Broker Helped
“I asked for a broker’s help because, as a parent, it’s hard to see clearly sometimes. The broker was brilliant. We chatted, and in half an hour, she understood Afton like no one else had. She focused on Afton, even with the whole family there. Afton communicates with smiles and gestures, and the broker always directed questions to her, which was lovely.”
Afton’s Goals
“Afton wanted to do typical teenage activities, be independent, and part of the community, while giving us a break. She didn’t want me tagging along for teenage stuff. Her brother goes to football, meets friends, goes to concerts, and I wanted the same for her. With the girls we got through the brokers, they just look like a group of friends. They treat her as a friend, and it’s so natural.”
“We started employing the girls in September, and the change in Afton was immediate. She used to wait anxiously for her old supports who were always late. Timing is crucial for Afton. Now, she gets so excited when the girls arrive, she even opens the door for them. Their connection is on such a basic level, and it’s wonderful to see Afton so happy and engaged.”
