Supporting Choice, Control, and Community Across Ayrshire
An update from Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN)
Ayrshire Independent Living Network (AILN) was founded by a group of disabled people who were passionate about improving choice, control, and independence for others. Grounded in lived experience, AILN began its journey by supporting individuals to manage their own care through Self-Directed Support (SDS), introduced as Direct Payments in 2003.
Since 2005, our SDS service has been funded by North, South, and East Ayrshire Councils, and today we are proud to have a team of 19 staff working across a range of projects supported by multiple funders.
We are a not-for-profit registered charity, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors - many of whom are either SDS budget holders or have lived experience as carers.
What We Do:
Our SDS team currently supports over 510 people across Ayrshire - individuals who employ Personal Assistants (PAs) or purchase care from a provider of their choice.
These PA employers now employ approximately 640 Personal Assistants locally.
Our advisors carry out around 13,300 pieces of work annually, covering everything from budget management and safe recruitment to contract advice, mediation, and re-recruitment support.
We also offer a self-funding payroll service, which processes over £4.6 million annually on behalf of PA employers - tailored to meet individual needs.
Additional Support Services:
Our commitment to community and inclusion has led to the development of new services:
Dementia Befriending & Wellbeing Cafés:
With approx. 55 volunteers, providing weekly support and social opportunities for approx. 64 people per week, living with dementia and unpaid carers. The project is soon to expand to five cafés across Ayrshire. These sessions also offer accessing peer support, activities, entertainment and vital respite to unpaid carers.
CAYRLocal Micro-Enterprise Project (South Ayrshire):
This innovative initiative helps local micro-enterprises provide personalised, community-based care:
89 individuals supported weekly
394 hours of care delivered per week (1,707 hrs/month)
£34,145 reinvested monthly into the local economy
Training & Development:
Our self-funding team delivers PA employer and PA training opportunities, along with training for micros, volunteers and people looking to work within the social care field. The team also creates public awareness sessions through attending events or locality drop ins, and community talks. We also facilitate SDS peer mentoring and PA employer support groups - ensuring people are empowered, connected, and confident in their roles.
AILN continues to grow and evolve, with innovation, lived experience, and community-led support at the heart of everything we do.
