BIG GARY’S HOUSE

Day 1 in the Big Gary House Gary’s condition is slowly deteriorating. With help only from his family, Gary is a virtual recluse in his own home

Gary phone’s his mum

Jeff & Colin worry about Gary

Day 2 in the Big Gary House As our house mate gets more depressed with life in the house, he starts venting his anger towards his loved ones and himself

Big Gary’s House Gary was depressed His life was nothing more than an existence Living on his own with only support from his family had become too much His mental state was becoming more and more serious

Everything Gary was doing relied on his family The lack of independence, choice and control over his own life was making Gary think hard about his future Gary felt uncomfortable relying on his family for everything

Family tension was rising How could the family refuse to support Gary? What should Gary do?

Day 103 in the Big Gary House … Social Services have eventually called to assess Gary’s care needs

Big Gary’s House The options: Should Gary take the advice of Alan – his care manager and go into residential care, where he would be safe – but mentally destroyed? Should he move back home to his mum and dad’s where he would lose his independence and be smothered by his loving parents?

OR

Day 104 in the Big Gary House After a disastrous experience with Social Services Gary looks for some help and advice

Big Gary’s House After long discussions about his support its decided its time to get things sorted Social Services complaints procedure are requested and after many meetings Gary gets things moving towards an Individualised budget Jeffrey finds Gary a bigger house

Big Gary House After several months Gary moves into his new house

Big Gary House

Big Gary’s hoist

Big Gary’s new bath

Day 200 in the Big Gary House Having completed a Resource Allocation System application form Gary contacts social services to arrange another meeting

Day 205 in the Big Gary House Social Services call to the house with the decision on RAS

Gary’s Support Plan PA SUPPORT GYM MEMBERSHIP CINEMA, BOWLING WEEKENDS AWAY (RESPITE) 1 OFF PAYMENT FOR BINOCULARS

Day 236 in the Big Gary House After having his support plan agreed Gary decides to take on his first Personal Assistant

Day 237 in the Big Gary House Gary has his first staff interview

Day 238 in the Big Gary House Dom starts work in Gary’s life

Things I want to do Swimming/Exercise Rollercoaster rides Water Skiing Shopping Cinema Bird Watching

Things I want to do Night Clubs Holiday’s Amsterdam Round the World Holiday – Walk the Bridges of the world Bobsleigh Fishing Keeping me healthy safe and well

Day 300 in the Big Gary House After several weeks with Dom, Gary is able to get a job Dom helps Gary to get ready on this monumental morning (What follows may contain scenes of an adult nature or nudity)

Day 305 in the Big Gary House Gary decides to take on more staff as his independence increases After more discussions with Social Services, and successful application to the Independent Living Fund & Access to Work Gary’s package grows considerably

Day 330 in the Big Gary House Gary interviews new staff in a safe environment McDonald's!

Big Gary’s House

INSTREAM PARTNERSHIP Set up in March 2003 Not for profit Organisation Gary Nield & Luke Travis To promote independence To offer support to people wanting to use personal assistants

Provide training to Direct Payment Recipients Care Managers Senior Social Services Staff Conferences and Seminars Personal Assistant awareness Training Telephone advise service

Supporting people in Oldham, Bury, Rochdale, Liverpool and Merseyside Care assessment and meeting with Care Managers Interviewing and recruitment of staff Employment issues including Contract of Employment, Staff Handbooks, Rota systems Managing Budgets, opening bank accounts

PAmatch.co.uk Support Personal Assistants Promote the work carried out by Personal Assistants Personal Assistant awareness Training Personal Assistants register

GARY NIELD, LUKE TRAVIS or DOMINIC GREEHALGH 108 WHALLEY ROAD MIDDLETON, MANCHESTER, M24 6HH OFFICE MOBILES OR WEB: