News

Katy employs her own PA, Gemma, through a Direct Payment. Gemma needs clinical training to manage Katy’s suprapubic catheter safely, something most PAs are never trained for, because no funding route covers it. Without it, Katy ended up in hospital more than once. Katy and Gemma discuss what that meant for her, and why PA

A new cross-government action plan for unpaid carers has been published, aiming to identify carers earlier and connect them to support sooner. Nearly one in 10 people in England is an unpaid carer. The plan sets out 42 actions across health, social care, education, employment and benefits, built around three aims: recognising carers, referring them

We are delighted to announce we have been awarded the contract to provide Care, Education and Treatment Reviews (CETRs) across the South East and South West of England, starting 1 June 2026. What are CETRs? Care, Education and Treatment Reviews (CETRs) are person-centred reviews designed to support autistic people and people with learning disabilities who

Independent Lives brought together speakers, supporters and changemakers for a landmark half-day conference celebrating 25 years of putting disabled people first. On Thursday 16 April, Worthing Football Club played host to something rather special. THRIVE 2026 — Independent Lives’ conference — welcomed many delegates through its doors for a morning packed with inspiration, honest conversation,

We’re delighted to share that Independent Lives has been awarded the contract to continue delivering Direct Payment support across West Sussex for the third time. The new contract started in April 2026 and will run for at least five years. This means that if you already use our service, nothing changes for you. Your named

This role has now closed.  Independent Lives is entering an exciting period of growth and we’re looking for an experienced, values-driven leader to become our next Chair of the Board. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a highly committed, user-led Board and make a meaningful difference at a pivotal moment for our organisation and

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) wants to hear people’s views on fair pay agreements for adult social care workers, including Personal Assistants (PAs). The standard consultation is now closed, but there is still time to take part in the Easy Read consultation, which remains open. What is the consultation about? DHSC is

Independent Lives is pleased to announce that, following a recent office refurbishment, our newly updated Community Hub and Training Suite are now available to hire. Located in Worthing town centre, these flexible spaces are ideal for meetings, training sessions, workshops and community activities. Designed with accessibility in mind, the rooms offer a professional yet welcoming

Uniting communities, raising disability awareness, overcoming challenges in the face of adversity and the power of positivity We are delighted to announce George Dowell MBE, esteemed owner of Worthing Football Club and a prominent leader within our community, has accepted the role of Patron at Independent Lives. George’s remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to inclusion

At Independent Lives, we’re proud to be working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to offer work experience placements for people who are looking to return to employment. Our four-week placements provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals who may have been out of the job market for some time or who