Centre for Independent Living Kent

Who we are

Who are Centre for Independent Living Kent ?

aka CiLK (pronounced ‘silk’)

• CiLK is a registered charity and a user led organisation meaning that we are run and managed by disabled people for disabled people.
• We have been established in Kent since 2002 and cover the whole of Kent including Medway providing support to disabled people aged 18 and over.
• CiLK provides information, support and advice to people with any impairment although our expertise is currently with physical impairments.

Information, Advice and Guidance

• We are still providing information, advice and guidance on issues around independent living such as how to get a wheelchair, support at home, aids and equipment, blue badge, accessible transport and much more.

Benefits

• We are still providing benefit support remotely.
• Can help people prepare for benefit assessments and tribunals.
• Benefit assessments and tribunals are being held remotely at this time normally via a conference call.  CiLK staff can be added to these conference calls if requested by the client.
• Can help with benefit forms if the client cannot get this support elsewhere.  This is normally done over the telephone.
• Staff at CiLK are not legally trained so cannot represent people however we can provide moral and peer support.

Kent Advocacy

• We are still providing community advocacy to disabled people who live in Kent, all referrals must go through Kent Advocacy initially, CiLK staff can help with this.
• Community advocacy covers issues around housing, accessing services, problems with social services, this is not an exhaustive list.
• The role of an advocate is to ensure that the disabled person’s voice is heard.
• Currently being carried out remotely via telephone, email and online platforms
• To access this service referrals need to be made directly to Kent Advocacy

CiLK Bulletin

• The CiLK bulletin goes out every 3 months to our members and mailing list and includes lots of helpful information for our readers.
• If you would like to receive this bulletin you can either become a CiLK member, which is free, or ask to be put on the mailing list.

Peer to Peer Support

• Sharing information through life experience, knowledge and understanding of living in a world of barriers
• We still provide peer support to people who may not meet the criteria for advocacy due to the nature of the issue.
• We can support people in Medway under peer support as Kent Advocacy does not cover Medway.

Outreach – is slowly returning to 'normal'

• Our outreach service, where we visit existing groups to give information direct to people were suspended during the high of the pandemic and we are attending these as they reopen
• We have contacted all of our regular outreach venues and are attending some groups virtually.

New Projects: Operation SafetyNet – Telephone Befriending

• This was set up in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Project is co-ordinated by Project Lead with calls conducted by Volunteers.
• It is a befriending service for disabled people and people with long term health conditions who may be feeling lonely and isolated during this time and need someone to talk to.  
• Free service to residents in Kent and Medway.
• While many are jubilant in the move towards fewer restrictions, Operation SafetyNet are aware that many people feel unprepared. After a year of shielding, 'hokey pokey' of lockdowns and new waves of curfews and lockdowns in Europe; some are anxious about leaving the safety of their home, awaiting their 2nd dose of vaccine, feel left behind due to lack of support enabling them to get out or long for their indoor community clubs & groups to re-open.
• We are delighted to have secured additional funding from the National Community Fund to extend our telephone befriending service until at least the end of the year.
• People can self-refer or be referred by professionals, friends and family with the individual’s consent.
• Clients re matched with a volunteer befriender who will ring once a week for a chat.
• The volunteer can also signpost to relevant help and support that is available using a pre-approved list provided by CiLK. For more expert knowledge or advice, the clients support query will be passed on CiLK information Officers.
• All volunteers will clear a basic DBS check, complete an induction, Safeguarding Adults & Suicide Prevention Training. Our volunteers are NOT Medical professionals or Counsellors.
• Since November 2021, feedback from our clients has been one of great appreciation and a sense of relief for the welfare calls and connection to support they have been receiving. Our volunteers have expressed how richly rewarding and mutually beneficial being a Telephone Befriender has been.
• We encourage anyone over the age of 18 years, with a disability or long-term health condition who would like to receive a weekly call for companionship and support to get in touch.
• We welcome all members of the community with an interest in volunteering to join our team; no specific skills but basic IT, excellent telephone manner, good time management, genuine interest in people, enjoy light conversation with at least 1 hour available per week.