Independent Lives

02/06/2026

This Volunteers Week, we're celebrating the incredible people who give their time to make our work possible! 💙

Volunteers play a vital role in helping us support disabled people and carers across our community.

Want to join our team? We're currently looking for an Engagement Volunteer to help us understand the experiences of the people who use our services. If you're passionate about making a difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Find out more and apply on our website https://www.independentlives.org/careers/current-vacancies

28/05/2026

Our vision? An accessible society where disabled people have real autonomy, choice, and control over their lives.

Independence looks different for everyone. It's about having the freedom to make your own choices and live life your way.

What does independence mean to you?

26/05/2026

💙 "To my mum, you were a lifeline."

These words remind us why we do what we do.

Caring for someone you love is incredibly meaningful, but it's also demanding. Our carers' respite service gives family carers the essential break they need to recharge, knowing their loved one is safe and well cared for.

When we support carers, we support entire families. Thank you to everyone who trusts us with their loved ones. 💚

21/05/2026

Did you know? Our website and PA pages include an accessibility widget so you can adjust your browsing experience to suit your needs. 🌟

Whether you need larger text, different contrast settings, or screen reader support, we've built these tools because we believe everyone deserves access to the information and resources they need to live independently.

If there are other accessibility needs our website isn't addressing, we're always here to help, please reach out and let us know how we can improve.

This Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we're proud to continue our commitment to making independence accessible to all.

19/05/2026

Exciting news! 🎉

We've been awarded the contract to provide Care, Education and Treatment Reviews (CETRs) across the South East and South West of England from 1 June 2026.

CETRs are person-centred reviews that support autistic people and people with learning disabilities to live fulfilling lives in their communities, close to the people who matter most.

This contract aligns perfectly with our commitment to enable disabled people to live independently and make their own choices.

We're thrilled to be taking on this important work! 💙

14/05/2026

🧠 FINAL CHANCE - Free Mental Health Awareness Training Tomorrow! 🧠

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we're offering our Mental Health Awareness course completely FREE tomorrow (15 May, 10am-12pm). This training is usually £40 per person.

Designed for Personal Assistants and Direct Payment employers, this comprehensive 2-hour online session covers:

💚 What mental health is and the mental health continuum
💚 Understanding your own stress container
💚 How your frame of reference affects the care you provide
💚 Recognising mental health conditions including anxiety and depression
💚 Early indicators of ill mental health
💚 Self-help strategies and helpful resources

📅 15 May
⏰ 10:00am - 12:00pm
📍 Online via Zoom
👥 Limited spaces available

Book your free place now: https://pa-pages.org/event/mental-health-awareness/

For questions, email [email protected]

Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your knowledge and the wellbeing of those you support!

12/05/2026

🧠 FREE Mental Health Awareness Training - this Friday! 🧠

Are you a Personal Assistant, Direct Payment employer, or looking to work as a Personal Assistant? We're offering free Mental Health Awareness training on Friday as part of Mental Health Awareness Week!

When: Friday, 15 May | 10am-12pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: FREE (usually £40)
Spaces: Limited to 20 people

This 2-hour session will help you:
✅ Understand mental health and wellbeing
✅ Recognise early signs of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression
✅ Learn self-help strategies and resources
✅ Manage your own stress and support others effectively

Perfect for PAs who want to enhance their skills and better support the people they work with.

Book your free place now: https://pa-pages.org/event/mental-health-awareness/

Questions? Email [email protected]

This course offers a comprehensive foundation in understanding mental health needs and using this information to deliver effective, person-centred care. Throughout this training, you'll learn about various mental health conditions, tailoring your care approaches, and promoting overall wellbeing for....

12/05/2026

Mental Health Awareness Week is here, and this year's theme is ACTION. 💜

At Independent Lives, we know that managing your own support through Direct Payments isn't just about the paperwork, it affects how you're feeling too. Having control over your support and living the life you want makes a real difference to your mental wellbeing.

This week, think about what action you could take:

For yourself:
If you're struggling with your Direct Payments or feeling overwhelmed, get in touch. You don't have to figure it all out on your own, that's what we're here for.

For someone else:
Check in on a friend or family member. Have a proper chat about how they're doing. Sometimes just being there and listening is enough.

Your mental health matters just as much as your independence. And there's nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it.

💬 Need support with your Direct Payments? Our IAG team are here to help.

07/05/2026

You know those "tiny, sneaky wins" that make your whole day better?

That's what our Support Service Team Lead, Holly, lives for.

💬 "We're not just following processes. Behind the structure, there's a ton of creativity, problem-solving, and care that goes into making things actually work for the people we support."
📺 If the team were a TV show?
"Friends, for sure. Lots of laughs, a bit of chaos, a ton of loyalty. Or Great British Bake Off — we eat way too many biscuits while solving problems."
🏉 Your secret skill?
"Getting a rugby team organised like a slightly unhinged ringmaster. Chaos management but make it entertaining."

This is what great support looks like, structure, heart, and way too many biscuits.