Saturday 31st of October 2009
Personal budgets cheer bingo fans
Elderly people could find themselves better placed to pursue their passion for bingo as part of an innovative scheme in the north-west.
Cumbria County Council's personal budgets, which are set to be rolled out on November 16th 2009, will enable residents to influence how their social care budgets are spent for the very first time, reports the North West Evening Mail.
Under the proposals, social workers will calculate how much it would cost to provide social care to an individual and then ask how they would like that money to be spent.
Users could request the money is paid directly into their bank account so they can hire a social worker to take them to see a film or attend a bingo session.
Thousands could benefit
There are approximately 10,000 people who receive care services in Cumbria, meaning it could have a significant impact on local bingo club attendances.
Eddie Martin, cabinet member for adult social care at Cumbria County Council, explained the idea.
"This is about offering significantly greater choice to service users," he said. "It offers them more control and, most importantly, significant flexibility.
"That could mean transporting somebody to play bingo or go with a friend to the cinema if that's what the service user and their social worker agree is the right way forward."
Elderly players are highly valued at Buckingham Bingo.
Earlier this year, for example, staff at Buckingham Bingo Bradford threw a party to celebrate the birthday of one of its most loyal members.
Anne Webster, 102, was treated to some free bingo games, a chauffeur-driven limousine and a special bingo-themed cake.
