Independent Lives

07/10/2025

Calling all superheroes! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

This winter, trade your cape for tinsel at the Winter Wonderwheels – a super-festive, fully inclusive fundraising event!

Gather your sidekicks for a fun-filled day where you can run, walk, wheel, or anything in between a 1k, 5k, or 10k. With carol singing, festive treats, and (fake) snow, it’s the perfect day out for a super cause.

By taking part, you'll be a hero for Independent Lives, raising vital funds to empower disabled people to live independently.

Ready to save the day? Register your interest now and our fundraising team will be in touch!

🔗 Find the link to register in comments below.

01/10/2025

This October, we stand in solidarity for , a time to educate, advocate, and foster truly inclusive environments for this common neurodevelopmental condition.

At Independent Lives, our vision is a society where everyone experiences autonomy, choice, and control. For individuals with ADHD, this can only be achieved when we:

~ Replace misunderstanding with reliable information.
~ Challenge the stigma and myths that create barriers.
~ Promote supportive and adaptive environments at home, school, and work.

ADHD is not a deficit of attention, but a different way of processing the world. Understanding this is the first step toward building a community where neurodiverse individuals are not just included but are empowered to thrive.

This month, we encourage you to:

🎓 Learn: Seek out reliable resources from ADHD-led organisations.
👂 Listen: Centre the experiences and voices of people with ADHD.
👍 Advocate: Support adjustments and practices that promote focus, understanding, and productivity for all thinking styles.

🧡 The orange ribbon symbolises hope and solidarity. Let's wear it as a reminder of our commitment to a more understanding and accessible world for everyone.

29/09/2025

This week (September 15-21, 2025) is , and at Independent Lives, this cause is the very heart of our mission.

Our vision is an accessible society where disabled people experience autonomy, choice, and control in their lives. This vision cannot be achieved without a deep, meaningful commitment to inclusion.

This week is a powerful opportunity to reaffirm our core values. For us, Inclusion means:

~ Creating a world based on respect and understanding.
~ Actively ensuring every voice is heard, especially those of disabled people and carers.
~ Celebrating our differences and believing that embracing diversity makes us stronger.

Working together to achieve real change so that we can all participate in our communities with greater freedom.

True inclusion is the foundation for the choice and control we champion. It's about building a society where everyone belongs.

How will you help build a more inclusive world this week?

We stand with you National Inclusion Week!

25/09/2025

This is a story about the power of support, choice, and community. 🤝

Meet Jay. After a life-changing accident, he was told his only option was to move into a care home, away from his independence and his beloved dog, Buddy.

But then Jay found Independent Lives. They didn't see limitations; they saw possibilities. They worked with Jay to create a personalised care plan that gave him control over his own life.

The result? He's back in his own home, pursuing his passion for art, and, best of all, reunited with Buddy. 🐕🎨

Jay's story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, people can live the lives they choose. It's not about fitting into a system; it's about building a system that fits the person.

Read his inspiring full story by hitting the link in comments below.

Jay is a 36-year-old man living in East Sussex with cystic fibrosis. Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Jay leads an active and engaging life,

17/09/2025

Caring for a loved one, or looking for support to live independently? It can feel overwhelming to know where to start. 🤝

The incredible team at Independent Lives offers personalised Care and Support Services designed to give you choice, control, and the freedom to live your life, your way.

They don't just provide care; they provide a partnership. From helping you manage a personal budget to finding the right support workers for your needs, they put YOU at the centre of the process.

If you or someone you know in the Sussex area could benefit from support that truly empowers, learn more about their services by clicking the link in comments.

12/09/2025

This week (12-19 September 2025) is 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, a time to honour the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to supporting others. Here at Independent Lives, a user-led charity, we see firsthand the profound difference care workers make every single day.

Care workers are the backbone of our social care system. They are the compassionate hands and hearts that enable disabled people and those with support needs to live independently, with dignity and choice. They don't just provide essential physical support; they build relationships, foster independence, and bring joy and companionship into people's lives.

This week, and every week, we say THANK YOU.

~ Thank you for your unwavering empathy.
~ Thank you for your incredible patience and resilience.
~ Thank you for advocating for the people you support.
~ Thank you for the small gestures and the life-changing support.

Your work is not just a job; it is a vital service that strengthens our entire community.

Are you a care worker? We see you, and we are here for you too. Independent Lives offers respite services for carers, providing you with a well-deserved break to recharge. Explore how we can support you on our website.

How can you help celebrate?

Tag a care worker in the comments and share your thanks.

If you employ a care worker, a small gesture of appreciation can mean the world.

Share this post to spread awareness of their vital role.

The Care Workers' Charity

11/09/2025

Last year, 3,486 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 to work as PAs through us—giving you more options to find your perfect match.

🔹 “𝘐 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥 3 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 — 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩.”

09/09/2025

We trained 783 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 and employers last year — so your team has the skills you need. From mobility to communication, we cover what matters.

💬 “𝘔𝘺 𝘗𝘈 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦.”

04/09/2025

"𝗕𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀." That’s the promise of a well-trained Personal Assistant. 🤝

Are you a PA based in Sussex? Independent Lives is here to help you excel! We offer expert training courses to elevate your care skills and build confidence in your role.

Best of all, fully-funded places may be available for our courses!

👉 Secure your place and enquire today: Link in comments.

02/09/2025

Caring is rewarding, but everyone needs a break. Last year, carers took 7,488 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 — time to rest or enjoy hobbies.

🟣 “𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 — 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘶𝘵.”

28/08/2025

Sometimes, you meet someone who goes above and beyond in their profession, not because they have to, but because they genuinely care.

This is a thank you to Tamsyn from Independent Lives. "𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘛𝘢𝘮𝘴𝘺𝘯, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦. 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦!"

We hope you are deeply proud of it too!

26/08/2025

A massive thank you to the amazing team at Pinnacle UK for providing the official t-shirts for our Superhero Event!

The designs are fantastic, the quality is top-notch, and our participants absolutely love them. You were an incredible partner and a true hero behind the scenes. We're so grateful for your sponsorship and in helping to make our event a success!

Check out our crew looking heroic thanks to Pinnacle! 👇