PEOPLE in North Yorkshire who are funded to pay for their own care are getting special support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The county council has stepped up help for more than 1,000 people who receive direct payments or individual service funds to fund their own bespoke care package.

The coronavirus crisis and lockdown has meant that many receiving these payments are not able to access their usual support, either because a service or centre they use is closed, or because their personal assistants are self-isolating.

Richard Webb, the council’s corporate director for health and adult services, said: “It’s a very anxious time for people who use direct payments or individual service funds."

Mr Webb added that council staff have invested a lot of time to develop strong relationships and a good level of trust so that people using direct payments for their care are not left to manage this very difficult situation on their own.