Marion's Personal Budget helps her choose her carers

Marion has two grown up children. Before having a Personal Budget, she was receiving support from as many as nine different people in one day.

"It felt like they were here just because it was a job for them. You've got no privacy... no dignity left. Altogether it weren't nice. I used to dread it when it was time for them to come because you didn't know who was coming. Then you have to explain yourself and why you're in this position. It's degrading really. One minute I got so annoyed I said 'I'm going to put a piece of cardboard around my neck saying that the bottom doesn't work but the top does'."

Eventually, Lorraine from her social services department spoke to her about a Personal Budget.

"I'd been having all these girls come in so I said yes, I would like to try it and I'm really glad I did. It really made a big improvement. You are in control more."

Marion now has four carers who work together to provide the support she needs.

"It's like a little family now. We can all laugh and joke. It doesn't feel medical anymore. They are ever so good, they do everything for me no matter what. You don't have to ask half the time, they just do it. It just feels like they care. They have to do all these personal things, clean you and it's not nice, but they talk over it and make you feel... what shall I say... not as embarrassed. It's a lot nicer."

Marion said it was a lot easier to manage her Personal Budget than she initially thought.

"I got a bit worried. I thought 'no, I can't do that, it's too much'. But I have this 'Pay Packet' and they will do your income tax and your pay-as-you-earn, so you have no worries on that score. All I do is get the time sheets off the girls; my daughter then sends them up to Pay Packet. They have to be in by Tuesday and the girls get their money paid into the bank on Thursdays. My daughter keeps everything in the file so it's all straightforward."

"It's made all the difference in the world. Really I'm happier, it's pleasanter... I have my four carers who are really helpful. Now I've got my daughter and my son who do things between them, so everything works out lovely, a lot nicer than the agencies... They all understand and I appreciate them, I really do."