sds4me has now launched 'Community Connections' to improve further the quality of information and support available to people who use Individual Budgets. 'Community Connections'  is an addition to the sds4me website, which is still packed with useful information for people who are directing their own support. An example of a Community Connections website can be seen HERE

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Community Connections

 

Is a catalogue of everything that is available locally which is either free of charge or has a small nominal charge for the service. These are usually events like coffee mornings, luncheon clubs, keep fit courses, adult education courses, adult training courses, services which do home visits for people who find it difficult to leave the house and anything else that is available locally.

 

This information can be kept all in one place, is always up to date without the need to return to the publishers every time something changes. The database is user friendly, searchable by postcode, district or area of interest.

 

Unlike other catalogue services which operate a Content Management System (CMS) and expect you to do all the work, with sds4me Community Connections you simply send the information to me and I will populate the database and manage the site throughout the subscription.

 

All of the benefits of a subscription to sds4me are included in the  Community Resources charge.

 

Also included is an online Forum to enable local communities to build connections with each other for instance, a mother looking for voluntary or paid work during school hours, somebody looking to car or taxi share to a local event, a person with a disability who needs support to go to a local event whether that be paid or as friends sharing a mutual interest.

 

sds4me believes that with the involvement and support of local communities then Individual Budgets will be a huge success not just for people with support needs but for the wider community as a whole. Through widely available and up to date information we can begin to connect people to build a community to be proud of.