Independent Lives

Who we are

Independent Lives is a user-led charity. We work with people with support needs and carers, to enable people to lead full, active and independent lives.

We work directly with disabled people of all ages, and parents and carers of disabled children

• Providing a Direct Payments support service to help people arrange and manage their own personalised care and support
• Banking, payroll, and recruitment services assists people to manage their own budgets and personal assistants
• The Care Service provides personalised care and support in your own home
• Respite for family carers through short breaks for older people
• Engage with user-led support and action groups
• Volunteering opportunities to people with support needs
• Campaign on the rights of disabled people
• Fundraise to overcome loneliness.

We work with health and social care professionals

• Provide training and training materials, consultancy, and recruitment support
• Work with local authority social care teams and Clinical Commissioning Groups on support planning, personalisation and co-production, and health and social care integration.

Our vision is a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Working together we achieve real change in the lives of the people we support - so that we can all participate in our communities and have greater choice, control and freedom.

Our customers will:

• Receive quality support
• Have more choice and control over their support and where they live
• Be involved with the design of their services
• Feel safer at home and in our community
• Achieve their goals and aspirations
• Have ways to improve their wellbeing

Committed to the social model of disability

We believe that disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment.

When barriers are removed, disabled people can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their own lives.

Led by disabled people, people with health conditions, and carers

Our work is directed by the people who know best - our members and customers. We are run by the people who use our services and led by a board of trustees directly accountable to all other members.

We are governed by a board of trustees with majority representation of disabled people, people with health conditions and carers.

As a Mindful Employer and Disability Confident Employer we are committed to recruiting and supporting disabled people in the workplace.

Inclusive and understanding

We work in a friendly, open and honest way. We listen to and respect people and value their ideas and opinions. We embrace diversity and actively work to overcome barriers to communication and participation.

Committed to promoting equality

We promote equality through the services and support we deliver, by influencing the sector, and driving innovation in practice.

We see the potential

We work with individuals and groups to promote what each of us, our friends, families and community can give. Working together we can improve our society and make it a better place for everyone to live.