PEOPLE with learning difficulties will benefit from a new project thanks to a government grant.
Swindon People First, a self-advocacy group run by and for people with learning disabilities, applied for the cash with the help of Swindon Council.
They put together a project that will bring an additional £103,000 over the next 18 months.
It aims to give people with learning disabilities more control over the type of support they receive.
After being assessed, if someone with learning disabilities requires support from social services, then they can opt to take a direct payment.
These will allow them to buy the support they need and choose the time and people who deliver the service. Extra staff will be provided in both organisations to develop the scheme.
Graham Pearson, assistant director of adult services at Swindon Council, said: "Swindon People First have been national front runners in this field for a long time now.
"Direct payments are a good way of giving people with learning difficulties more control over their own lives, which is something we are committed to at Swindon social services."
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