About Wicks Enterprise
On this page, I’ll guide you through my experience of acquiring my personal health budget, explaining in detail what it takes to uphold and sustain this budget effectively and how I’ve customised it to meet my specific needs. I’ll outline the key benefits a personal health budget can provide. These approaches are ones I highly recommend for everyone; not just for those with a personal health budget.
The search for care support began as soon as I was informed that I would be moving back to my hometown of Kingsbridge from the care home facility in Plymouth. Coincidentally, the year I had my stroke, my mother started working for a new company in Plymouth. This company was launching a pilot scheme to introduce personal health budgets and individual service funds into the area. The companies goal was to help individuals with mental health challenges and learning disabilities transition from hospitals and institutions into their own homes. Using each person’s PHB, the company created bespoke support packages tailored to meet their individual needs. Mum wanted the same opportunity for me, and persuaded the company she was working for to obtain the relevant licence for their business so that they could offer the same for me, even though I neither had mental health issues or learning difficulties. This is how it all started. The company managed my budget, tailoring it to my personal needs. I was actively involved in interviewing and selecting a support team to assist me in my new home, as I prepared to return to my hometown of Kingsbridge.
This is what is described as a third party budget: When an organisation independent of both the person and the NHS commissioner (for example an independent user trust or a voluntary organisation) is responsible for and holds the money on the person’s behalf. They then work in partnership with the person and their family to ensure the care they arrange and pay for with the budget meets the agreed outcomes in the care plan.
However, after a few years, I found myself feeling miserable and exhausted by the constant delays in decision-making, the lack of accountability, and the struggle of working with an unmotivated team. Ultimately, I was frustrated by the overwhelming lack of control to make meaningful changes myself. In desperation, I called my trust holder in tears, pleading to use the remaining funds in my trust account to hire a private personal assistant who could help me pursue a PHB I could manage myself.
Getting a PHB was absolutely essential for me. At age 25, I had a life ahead of me and couldn’t bear the thought of living on without control over my own choices. I dreamed of starting a family, wanted the best for Mufasa, my cat, and I knew I needed this level of independence if I was going to achieve all this. I would do whatever it took.
My trust holder was initially reluctant, as it was a big gamble and not guaranteed to work, but eventually, I convinced him to allow me to use the remaining trust funds to hire a personal assistant for six months.
Although Emma worked from home for most of her time with me due to COVID-19, she got the job done, securing funding for seven carers, a team leader, and her own role as my personal assistant. Despite having a position open for her to stay on, she decided to move on.
At that point, it was just me and a handful of carers who transitioned with me to embark on this private care journey. I felt a rush of excitement, finally free and in control of my own care. My future was wide open, and I was eager to step forward with a professional identity. “Howard Wicks Support Team” didn’t quite capture the vision I had, so while Emma worked on securing the budget, I asked a friend to design a logo, and I came up with a snappier name: Wicks Enterprise!
Wicks Enterprise was officially established in March 2021, marking the beginning of my exciting journey. In the box below, I’ve written my experiences and the challenges, and successes encountered during those formative years. Now, three years later, I’m proud to say that Wicks Enterprise is not only still standing but is going stronger than ever. The journey so far has been incredible, and the plans for the future of WE looks just as promising. =)
“In hindsight, deciding to manage my own budget has been truly life-changing; a decision I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking greater control, clarity, and purpose in their life. Before making the switch, I felt constrained by a system where I had little say in the care I received. Managing my PHB has empowered me to hire my own staff, make decisions quickly, and address my needs immediately. This newfound freedom has profoundly transformed my life while still operating within NHS guidelines and benefitting from their support in the background.”
Direct payments come in several different forms, each tailored to meet specific needs and circumstances of the individual. These variations allow individuals to choose the type of support that best suits their situation, providing greater flexibility and control over how care or assistance is managed. Here’s a review from Janice Jeffrey who lives nearby to me, who was the first to introduce me to the concept of managing personal budgets. Janice receives direct payments as a mother providing tailored, bespoke care for her daughter. Below you will find her testimonial on the entire process.
“I would not hesitate to recommend people move to Direct Payments. If gives you the control and ability to manage the care in the most efficient way and have say over who delivers the care you require.”
“An additional compelling reason to adopt a form of PHB is its potential to reduce NHS costs by approximately 17–30% per patient annually, depending on the level of care and services required. This significant reduction comes from fewer hospital admissions, streamlined care, and improved efficiency through personalised support. Imagine if disabled people across Britain embraced this approach; what a transformative impact it could have on our country. It would bring about a significant, radical change. Truly, a game-changer for everyone.”
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Wicks Enterprise
How it all began
I founded Wicks Enterprise in March 2021 after spending several years receiving care from NHS providers. Over time, I realised that despite their claims of being personal-centred, I often felt disconnected from the decision-making process. In many major decisions about my care, I felt like a distant third or fourth party, rather than the person at the centre.
I wanted more control and authority in my own life, especially as I had dreams of starting a family one day. The thought of being a father yet not truly having a say in my own home was something I couldn’t accept. I knew things had to change, so I left my current care provider and joined another, hoping for more control. Unfortunately, that turned out to be an even worse experience than the first.
It became clear that the only way forward was to manage my own personal health budget. With the last of my savings in my bank, I took a gamble and hired a private personal assistant for six months. Her role was to work with me and help secure the rights and payments I needed to set up a personal health budget. Thankfully, and with much appreciation to her efforts, she succeeded, allowing me to form my own team and take full control of my care. Phew, that big gamble paid off! This change gave me the control I craved, the respect of my employees, and the ability to directly oversee my care. By managing my own team, I’ve been able to tailor everything to my unique needs and preferences, creating a more personalised and empowering care experience that’s now paving the way Forward for my future aspirations.
What is the difference between a Life Auxiliary and a caregiver?
The difference between a carer and a life auxiliary is that a life auxiliary is employed and trained directly by the employer, resulting in more bespoke and specific training with less room for assumption. In contrast, a carer is a broader term for a caregiver, who has more flexibility and autonomy in their role. Which is totally not what I need.