Skip to main content

Purple Surfers – Introductory Digital Skills Workshop

Join Purple Surfers for a free, beginner-friendly digital skills workshop in partnership with Age UK’s “Tech and Talk” sessions designed exclusively for people aged 50 and over living in Sandwell.

Workshop highlights: 

⭐ Discover accessibility features on mobile devices and laptops to transform your digital experience

✉️ An introduction to Email, building your confidence with everyday online communication

🎦 An introduction to video call features to enable you to stay connected online

When: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Oldbury Library, Sandwell

Who can register?

 

  • Anyone aged 50+ in Sandwell.

  • If you know someone aged 50+ who would benefit and would like to attend, you may complete the registration on their behalf, as long as you have their consent.

How to register your interest to join:

 

Please wait for confirmation from the Purple Surfers team before attending.

Click here to register your interest to join the Purple Surfers workshop

Join our FREE mailing list

Be the first to receive all of our updates straight to your inbox by joining our FREE mailing list.

Click here to register

Direct Payments are payments made to a person with disabilities or other needs requiring social care and support (or a representative of their choosing) into a bank account or prepaid card. These payments are made in advance, usually every four weeks. They enable people to purchase and arrange their own support to meet their needs. The aim of direct payments is to give people more choice, greater flexibility and more control over the support they get.

People can use their direct payments to choose how to have their care provided. Many people choose a Personal Assistant (PA) as a solution to their care needs. Some choose to use a care agency.

Direct Payments can be made to people of all ages. For children and young people under 16, payments are made to an adult who has parental responsibility.

You can receive Direct Payments if:

  • You have been assessed by a social worker as needing social care services to support you with daily living
  • You have a disability with social care needs
  • You consent to receiving a Direct Payment and either you or your representative can manage the payment

 

Sandwell Children’s Trust provides support for parents who receive a Direct Payment (DP) on behalf of their children. For more information or to get in touch, visit their contact page: Sandwell Children’s Trust Contact Us

You can only receive a Direct Payment if Sandwell Council has assessed you as needing support to live independently.

During the assessment, they will determine:

  • The estimated cost of your required care, which correlates with your Direct Payment.
  • Whether you require financial assistance.

To enquire about applying for Direct Payments, please contact Sandwell council on:

Telephone: 0121 569 2266
Email: sandwell_enquiry@sandwell.gov.uk

If your care and support needs meet the eligibility criteria, Sandwell Council will provide an estimate of the potential amount you might receive as a personal budget, based on the assessed care and support needs.

The Council will also review your financial situation to determine if you need to contribute towards the cost of your care and support. For more information, please refer to the webpage “Paying for care at home,” which explains how your contribution (if any – not everyone is required to pay) is calculated and the available payment options.

The final amount will depend on the actual cost of your care and support services and your personal financial circumstances. If your income and savings exceed the limits set by the government, you will not be eligible for care and support or a personal budget. However, Sandwell Council can still create a care and support plan with you, outlining available services and how to access them. There is no charge for this service.

 

1.Direct Payment to a Bank Account

With this option, money is paid into a UK bank account. This can be an account held by you or your representative, but it must be a separate account used only for direct payments transactions, clearly showing how the money has been spent on your support.

You will need to send statements and receipts to the council quarterly (or whenever requested) as evidence of spending towards your care and support needs.

2. Managed Account – Purple Direct Payment Support Service

If you need assistance managing your direct payment, you can choose support from Purple Direct Payment Support Service. Purple Direct Payment Support Service can manage the money allocated for your support needs and handle payments to the people or organisations providing that support. Purple Direct Payment Support Service will also manage timesheets for your personal assistant and handle tax, National Insurance contributions, and HMRC responsibilities.

If you select Purple Direct Payment Support Service, your direct payment will be paid directly into their account. They will then manage it on your behalf, ensuring all providers receive their payments.

Purple Direct Payment Support Service will work closely with the council to provide details of your spending. If you are required to contribute towards your care package, they will advise you on the best way to pay your contributions and manage these payments on behalf of the council.

 

If you feel you would benefit from assistance in managing your Direct Payment, please consider the reasons for this and discuss the option of a Managed Account with your social worker.

Click here to view the example of a timesheet

The Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s Direct Payment (DP) rate is set at the National Minimum Wage (NMW). If you wish to pay your PA a rate higher than the NMW, you must discuss this with your social worker. They will help you determine if the increased rate is acceptable and guide you through the budget approval process necessary to adjust your DP payment.

If the council does not approve the higher rate, you will need to cover the difference yourself by contributing to your DP account. Additionally, be sure to inform your payroll provider about any changes in the pay rate and how the increased cost will be funded.

To view the National Minimum Wage (NMW) click here

 

The rate of pay for Personal Assistants (PAs) may change due to factors such as adjustments to the National Minimum Wage. The Purple DPSS service can provide you with information and advice regarding this.

A Personal Assistant (PA) can provide valuable support to help you maintain your independence both at home and in the community. During your direct payment assessment, you will have discussed your wellbeing outcomes and how a PA can assist you in achieving these goals. This information will be documented in a support plan tailored specifically for your needs.

Sandwell Direct Payment holder online support drop in

Monday 1st December –  13:00pm-14:00pm

Hosted on Microsoft Teams this session is open to all Direct Payment holders and representatives, providing a valuable opportunity for asking questions, collective learning and support to share information about managing direct payments.

Click here to complete a short registration to attend

Sandwell Direct Payments toolkit

Click here for the Sandwell Direct Payments welcome letter

Click here for the Sandwell Pay Day Timesheet Schedule – 4 Weekly (1)

Click here for the Sandwell Pay Day Timesheet Schedule – 4 Weekly (2)

Click here for the Sandwell Pay Day Timesheet Schedule – 4 Weekly (4)

Click here for the Sandwell Direct Debit form PDF

 

Click here for the Sandwell Blank Timesheets

For information about applying for Direct Payments:

Call: 0121 569 2266

 

Email: sandwell_enquiry@sandwell.gov.uk

Purple DPSS contact details

 

Employment Advice and Guidance queries: sandwell@purple-dpss.co.uk

 

Timesheets & Employed PAs pay queries: sandwellpayroll@purple-dpss.co.uk

 

Invoices & Self Employed PA & Agency pay queries: sandwellinvoices@purple-dpss.co.uk

 

Pension queries: pension@purple-dpss.co.uk

 

To contact us by phone: 0121 269 8465

 

If your call is unanswered, please leave a message. All missed calls are regularly monitored and returned as soon as possible.

 

 

In person visits by appointment only at our office – Castlemill, Burnt Tree, Dudley, DY4 7UF 

 

Request an appointment: www.wearepurple.org.uk/request-an-appointment

Free befriending services

LETTERBOX is a free penpal befriending service for socially isolated and lonely people. Our clients are carefully matched to volunteer befrienders. They exchange supportive, friendly letters to share stories about their lives, families, interests, or whatever they wish.

CHATTERBOX is a free telephone befriending service for socially isolated and lonely people. Our clients are carefully matched to DBS-checked volunteer befrienders. They exchange supportive, friendly phone calls to chat about their lives, families, interests, or whatever they wish.

Click here to learn more

Edwards Trust : Bereavement Support

Edward’s Trust is a specialist bereavement charity based in Birmingham, providing counselling and holistic support to families in the West Midlands.

Edward’s Trust offers:

  • Counselling for parents, young people, children (over 10 years old)
  • Advice, Information, Support and Training Counselling for parents young people children (over 10 years old)
  • Wellbeing Support

Ways to contact Edward’s Trust:

  • Email: admin@edwardstrust.org.uk
  • Call: 0121 454 1705

Who Edward’s Trust supports:

  • Parents bereaved of their child – whatever the age or circumstance.
  • Children and young people aged between 10 – 24 years who are bereaved of a parent, grandparent, significant carer, sibling or friend.
Click here to learn more