1)  How does your SDS work for you?
 
I get out more and to different places now.  Marylin comes to me once a week on a Friday from Crossroads. We can use the low rider bus service and it's very good but sometimes we need to use taxis.  Money for transport comes out of my budget. We go to the Theatre, shopping, Edinburgh and Dundee.  My goal for this week is to get to Dunfermline to see a bench with name plaque's on dedicated to my friend and her husband.  She passed away 2 years ago and I would like to go there and see it in person.
 
2)  How do the payments work?  Do you use an accountant?
 
I don’t pay anything thing.  Quill does it for me.

3)  How does Marylin from Crossroads assist you?
 
She takes me out places.  She helps with light domestic duties like tidying up, ironing a few items and sometimes she hangs stuff up for me if I can't reach.
 
4)  Has SDS made a positive difference to you life?
 
Yes, I can now do food shopping once a week and get big items that Marylin helps bring home in the taxi.

Congratulations to our very own Volunteer Mrs. Shona Ronney for being nominated and shortlisted for the Inspirational Volunteer Award. We hope you enjoy the awards night hosted by Fife Voluntary Action on the 7th June. We are very proud of you and pleased your efforts have been recognised. It's well deserved!

Mrs. Shona Ronney is a very kind, caring and lovely soul. She has 4 grown up children of her own along with grandchildren too. Although Shona has suffered with various health issues over the years, and continues to do so, - she still feels passionate about Self Directed Support and doing what it takes to help others.  Shona had her own, and her husband’s support packages to arrange and put in place before turning her attention to helping her daughter who also needed assistance with Self-Directed Support.  Shona, therefore came to us with a lot of experience of self directed support that has helped others.

Shona began her volunteer journey with the Self Directed Support project at Disabled Persons Housing Service (Fife) in April 2016.   Since then she has produced a large amount of video content, taken part in national surveys, attended events, been part of focus groups, peer groups and regular meetings. Whilst doing all of this Shona attends her husband’s Alzheimer’s class every Friday with him and continues to help others become aware of, and apply for,  Self Directed Support.  

Shona’s ability to share with others has helped others know the difference directing their own support can make and has made such a huge difference at the beginning of a brand new project, and a message, which was new to the public.  It has been wonderful to have Shona support us with her volunteering as she knows first hand what it is really like - we couldn’t have done this without her, and we’d be honoured for Shona to be acknowledged for this. 

“I look back and the difference to my life is fantastic. The best thing of all is 
I’m in control and it gave me the confidence to become a Mentor myself”




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