Sally Hirst, a 24-year-old autistic artist from Old Trafford, Manchester, has shared how taking control of her own social care funding helped her transform her life and pursue her passion for art.
Hirst, who also has learning disabilities and lives with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome, was able to follow her dreams after accessing direct payments from Trafford Council—an alternative to council-organised care that allows individuals to decide how to use their allocated support budget.
After withdrawing from college due to health challenges, Hirst used her funding to join Venture Arts in Hulme, a studio supporting artists with learning disabilities.
This decision proved life-changing. “It just feels really amazing to be able to do something that I love and enjoy and I’m passionate about all the time,” she said.
With the support of Venture Arts, Hirst developed her artistic skills and confidence, eventually becoming an artist in residence at the Everyday Art School at the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester.
Her work has been featured in prestigious venues including Manchester’s Jewish Museum, the People’s History Museum, and the Portico Library. She even co-curated an exhibition in Bali.
Her achievements culminated in being named Young Creative of the Year at the 2024 Manchester Culture Awards—a recognition that reflects her growing influence in the arts scene.
Her mother, Emma Hirst, expressed deep pride in her daughter’s accomplishments. “It’s allowed her to follow her dreams.
She is an artist working at a studio and that’s what’s so amazing. It gives her such confidence and purpose.”
Jenny Gibson from Trafford Council, which provided the funding, emphasized the importance of personalized care.
“Everybody is different. Everybody has different needs and wants and we just want people to be able to get the care that they want in the way that they want it to suit their own lifestyle,” she said.
Sally Hirst’s story is a powerful example of how autonomy and creative opportunity can open doors for people with disabilities, turning challenges into platforms for success.
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