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My Life, My Budget

An interactive game designed to help people with learning disabilities understand Personal Budgets.

My Life, My Budget is a fun and interactive, cool and colourful board game for people with learning difficulties and other disabilities who want to know more about Personal Budgets (previously known as individual budgets). What’s more, it can also be used by people who have mental health problems and anyone who receives social care services.

My Life My Budget board game people around a table playing the game

The game has been created by a team of people with learning disabilities in Cambridge.  They have been working tremendously hard with award winning advocacy organisation Speaking Up to turn their experiences into a tool that can be used by so many people.
 
Heard the word ‘Personal Budget’ before, but not sure what it means?
A Personal Budget means that people with disabilities get money from the Government to do the things that they want to do in life instead of the money going towards providing Day Services for people.

There are a lot of people who will receive personal budgets, which can have complicated processes and decisions to take.

No wonder Speaking Up designed the game!

How does the game work?

My Life, My Budget walks you through the seven steps to getting a Personal Budget, as per In Control’s description.

The steps are:
  • Ticklist (self assessment)
  • Make a Plan
  • Get Plan Agreed
  • Organize Money
  • Hire Support
  • Live Your Life
  • Review
The aim of the game is to support players to understand that Personal Budgets are about choosing a life that THEY want. And that their budget gives them the money to pay for their chosen life.

My Life, My Budget focuses on Step 2; making a plan. A player goes through the game, choosing which activities they do or don’t want to buy for their dream week. They also have to think about when they will need support and how they will get there. As money will be used to pay for activities, transport, and support, it helps players to practice and learn how to make their money go the furthest.

My Life My Budget a man smiling with a fan of money

The game can be adapted to be used before a review (step 7), by adding your personal activities to the game.
This fantastic game will be made in the style of a board game which will be accessible for most people. But wait, there’s more! We hope to make it more user-friendly by making accessible versions of some game pieces. These add-ons will be available to be purchased separately.

Is the game ready?

Nearly!
 
My Life, My Budget was made by a team of volunteers who have learning difficulties from Speaking Up’s Next Steps project.  They have also consulted with groups of people in Manchester, Essex and Cambridge to find out what they think should be included in the game.   Speaking Up are now working with a games company to create the final version.  When it is ready they will be showcasing it at events around the country and letting people know all the details via email.

Want to know more?

If you could like to know more about the game, or be contacted when it’s ready with prices etc please contact Carla Manning on carla.manning@speakingup.org or phone her on 01223 555830.

Thanks go to The Department of Health, who have been funding ‘My Life My Budget’.

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