New co-op project to support service users across Wales

Disabled people in Wales who receive direct payments for their care needs will be able to form co-operatives to take control, own and manage the services they need to support them under a new project being launched today.

The new citizen-led direct payment co-operatives project, being launched by the Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford and led by Disability Wales and the Wales co-operative centre, will provide more than 4,000 Direct Payment recipients in Wales with a new way to manage their payments.

A co-operative will be owned and run by disabled people. All members will have a say on how the co-operative is run and what support it offers. It will support people to support themselves, allowing them to share resources and pool their direct payments to design services that meet their needs, by employing their own carers (the admin responsibility that comes with being an employer can be dealt with by the co-operative, instead of the individual).

The development of social enterprises within social care is a key aspect of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which comes into force in April 2016. The Act has enshrined a duty on local authorities to promote the development of co-operatives, social enterprises, user-led services and the third sector.

Professor Drakeford said: “A co-operative model for direct payments offers people a real opportunity to make decisions about how they want to lead their lives –independently and in control – as fully participating citizens. It’s about supporting people to support themselves.

“It is through such collaboration and delivering practical leadership and action that we will achieve our vision of a greater voice and control for citizens and their right to live independently in the community.

“Co-operatives support positive social change and innovation. They are rooted in local communities. Any investment stays in the community and is recycled for wider economic and social benefits.  

“It is therefore fitting that Wales will be the first nation in the UK to support disabled people with their direct payments via a citizen’s directed co-operative. I congratulate Disability Wales, who with the Wales Co-operative Centre have had the vision to develop this excellent example of partnership working.”