Independent Lives

Independent Lives Independent Lives is a user-led charity working to change the lives of disabled people, people with support needs and carers.

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

You know those "tiny, sneaky wins" that make your whole day better?That's what our Support Service Team Lead, Holly, liv...
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.

📢 New Training Sessions Now Available in Hastings!We're excited to announce that we're now running First Aid and Moving ...
05/05/2026

📢 New Training Sessions Now Available in Hastings!

We're excited to announce that we're now running First Aid and Moving & Handling training sessions at Project Artworks in Hastings.

📅 Upcoming Sessions:

Moving & Handling – 8th May
👉 https://pa-pages.org/event/moving-and-handling-people-theory-and-practical-5/
First Aid – 5th June
👉 https://pa-pages.org/event/first-aid-theory-and-practical-4/
Moving & Handling – 3rd July
👉 https://pa-pages.org/event/moving-and-handling-people-theory-and-practical-7/

What you need to know:
👥 Each session is limited to 10 people
💸 Completely FREE for PHB customers/PAs

Full details including timings, location information, and course content can be found via the links above.

If you have any questions or need support with booking, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to seeing you there!

30/04/2026

🧠 Training Question Time!
How many disabled people are there in the UK?

Our Disability Awareness Training invites you to challenge preconceived notions, break down barriers, and work towards a more understanding and compassionate society.

This course will give you the knowledge and perspective to champion disability awareness and make a lasting, positive difference in your community.

👉 Find out more and book your place today: https://pa-pages.org/training-2/training-courses/

Be part of our community! 📬Sign up to receive our newsletter every 3 months with updates on Direct Payments, social care...
28/04/2026

Be part of our community! 📬

Sign up to receive our newsletter every 3 months with updates on Direct Payments, social care developments, upcoming local events, and stories from Independent Lives.

Subscribe now - https://www.independentlives.org/newsletter-sign-up/

MEET OUR PATRON 👋You've probably seen his name, but let's properly introduce you to George Dowell MBE!George is the owne...
23/04/2026

MEET OUR PATRON 👋

You've probably seen his name, but let's properly introduce you to George Dowell MBE!

George is the owner of Worthing Football Club and has been championing Independent Lives as our Patron. His commitment to inclusion and breaking down barriers in our community is exactly why we're lucky to have him on our side.

We recently watched his brilliant TEDx talk together at our Thrive Conference, if you haven't seen it yet, search "George Dowell TEDx" on YouTube. Trust us, it's worth a watch! 🎥

21/04/2026

What an incredible day! 🙌

Thank you to everyone who joined us for THRIVE, your energy, ideas, and passion made our 25th anniversary celebration truly special.

A huge thank you to our speakers, our Patron George Dowell MBE, Lisa Kerr of Think Exceptionally and Simon Wilson, for inspiring us all, and to every single person who shared their insights and helped shape the future of our work.

We're also incredibly grateful to our sponsors, Bowers & Wilkins, Pear Properties, Kendricks Coffee and Mark Bates, who made this event possible, your support means the world to us and the communities we serve.

Here's to the next chapter! 💙

Today we're celebrating 25 years of changing lives! 🎉For a quarter of a century, we've been proud to work as a user-led ...
16/04/2026

Today we're celebrating 25 years of changing lives! 🎉

For a quarter of a century, we've been proud to work as a user-led charity and social enterprise, supporting disabled people, those with support needs, and carers across our community.

We're marking this milestone with our Spring conference 'THRIVE', bringing together supporters to celebrate how far we've come and shape where we're headed next, alongside our Patron George Dowell MBE, Owner of Worthing FC.

Watch this space for highlights throughout the day! 👀

💜 As a Personal Assistant, you're often closer to someone's daily life than almost anyone else.Coercive and controlling ...
14/04/2026

💜 As a Personal Assistant, you're often closer to someone's daily life than almost anyone else.

Coercive and controlling behaviour is a form of domestic abuse that can affect people of all gender, and it can be easy to miss. It's also a criminal offence carrying up to 5 years in prison.

If something feels off, trust that instinct. Use professional curiosity, ask open, gentle questions and give the person space to talk.

If you're concerned about someone:
✅ Raise a safeguarding with your local authority
✅ Make a report to the police

Support is available through organisations such as:
🔹 Refuge
🔹 Women's Aid
🔹 Paul Lavelle Foundation

Your awareness could make all the difference.

10/04/2026

🌟 We're looking for our next Chair of the Board!

Independent Lives is entering an exciting period of growth, and we're searching for an experienced leader to help guide us forward.

As Chair, you'll work closely with our CEO and a passionate, user-led Board, where 75% of trustees have lived experience of disability, to shape our strategy, strengthen our governance, and ensure disabled people remain at the heart of every decision we make.

We're looking for someone who:

✅ Is passionate about choice, control and independence for disabled people
✅ Has experience chairing a board or leading strategic discussions
✅ Values diversity and the importance of lived experience
✅ Communicates confidently with a wide range of people

Personal experience of disability or caring is highly valued, but what matters most is your commitment to our values.

This is a voluntary role, but the difference you'll make is real. If you want to help shape the future of our organisation and the lives of the people we support across the Southern Counties, we'd love to hear from you.

👉

Finding the right PA, or the right role, makes all the difference. 💜 So far this year, we've helped 58 people make that ...
09/04/2026

Finding the right PA, or the right role, makes all the difference. 💜

So far this year, we've helped 58 people make that match.

👉 Head to our PA Pages, comment below, or DM us to see how we can help you too.

Our work is directed by the people who know best - our members and customers. 🙌We are run by the people who use our serv...
07/04/2026

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.

Head over to our website to find out more about our board members.

👉 https://www.independentlives.org/about-us/meet-the-team/meet-our-board/

Address

11 Liverpool Gardens, Southfield House
Worthing
BN111RY

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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