Jack with his OBE

Jack Blaik, senior social worker in the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, and independent living fund professional advisor for the Scottish Government, received an OBE for services to People with Disabilities.

As a young social worker Jack told us that his first encounter with the harsh impact of disability was at the Thistle Foundation in Craigmillar. There he met people determined to live as independent a life as possible, despite having bodies that didn’t work how they should. He learned a lot about life and the independent living movement across the world.

He saw that a person could be able to use the money that care services cost in a better way. This money could give that person a better life and achieve better outcomes than typical social care could. The approach might not work for everyone, but Jack believed the opportunity should be there for the people it could work for.

That belief was strengthened when his son, Daniel, met profound disability at the age of two and his wife, Nancy, at the age of 60.  Both, along with thousands of others, have been supported by the Independent Living Fund (ILF) and direct payments to live the best life they could.

Nancy, in living life to the full and becoming a founding director of Children Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), picked up an MBE. You can read more about Jack and Nancy’s involvement with CHAS on the CHAS website.

Now, many years later, Jack has caught up with Nancy in being honoured for his achievements. When we asked him how he felt about this honour, in typical modest Jack fashion, he said:

“Empathy is a value I have seen in abundance in the work and life of others.

Since the 1970s, I have worked with many remarkable people who consistently put the needs of others before their own. They would equally deserve this recognition.

From the Children’s Hospice to Social Work colleagues, to the Independent Living Fund Scotland – I have been privileged to meet people who set me examples to follow.

I have also been greatly honoured by knowing people supported by these services.

I cherish the memory of those who should be there collecting the award that has been passed over in my name. The honour belongs to all those who gave it meaning.’’

What a well-deserved award for dedicated service to others – both personally and professionally.

Edinburgh has amongst the highest take up of both ILF and DP in Scotland. ILF, and the ILF transition fund for young people 16 to 25 years old, is there to support people. Direct payments are there for everyone using social care services. These options may not work for everyone, but ensuring that opportunity exists is what public service should deliver.

If you’d like to know more, you can find out more about direct payments on the Council website or about ILF on the ILF website.