2023
Impact Report
2023
Impact Report
Welcome
Welcome to the Independent Lives 2023 impact report. Over the last twelve months, we have supported thousands of disabled people, people with long-term health and social care needs and their carers.
Below you will find a snapshot of what our charity got up to in 2023. From innovative new support to exciting fundraising events, read on to find out why Independent Lives is such a valuable part of the health and social care sector.
We have included a PDF version of our impact report along with an easy read guide below. Just click the buttons to download them now.
As we reflect on the past year, the trustees and I are overwhelmed with gratitude for your unwavering support of Independent Lives and the community of disabled people, support needs recipients, and carers we serve. Your dedication and commitment have been the cornerstone of our success, enabling us to continue our vision of creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, from providing essential domiciliary care support to offering respite services for carers, and empowering individuals through information and advice on Direct Payments, all of which have helped to improve outcomes for disabled people. Your contributions have not only transformed lives but have also strengthened the fabric of our community.
Looking to the year ahead, despite the challenges we have faced we remain focused and filled with excitement and optimism for the growth and opportunities that lie ahead. With your continued support, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our impact. As we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence, inclusion, innovation, and person centred approaches, we are confident that we will continue to break down barriers and create a more equitable and empowering environment for all.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for championing the vision of a society where every voice is heard, and every individual is valued. Together, we will continue to shape a world where diversity is celebrated, barriers are dismantled, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Chandos Green
Chair of trustees
Welcome to our 2023 impact report. I’m so pleased to be able to share with you our yearly update on all the good work that Independent Lives has been doing. For more than twenty years, Independent Lives' staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives and 2023 has been no different.
Over the last twelve-months we continued providing Direct Payment support services across West Sussex, East Sussex and Croydon, and began work on expanding the support we can offer in East Sussex in the coming months. Our Direct Payment support services have also been greatly enhanced by a programme of improvements to our online Direct Payments resource – PA Pages. More on this later.
Our care and support services have continued their hard work providing person centred, quality care to people in their own homes. The support our dedicated care staff provide allows people to live their lives with choice and control and make a difference each and every day.
2023 also saw us expand into new and innovative areas. We ran a successful project providing support and devices to digitally excluded disabled people, launched our first Friends of Independent Lives membership study and began a new research project into the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people.
You can read more about our impact below but for now I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes Independent Lives the vital charity that it is. I’m immensely proud of the work that we do and excited to see where our innovative work will take us next.
Rebecca Smicle
Chief executive
About us
Independent Lives is a user-led charity working to change the lives of disabled people, people with support needs and carers. We provide a range of frontline services which support people and their communities.
Our vision
Click or hover to find out more.
Our vision is for a fair society where we can all participate and fulfil our potential.
Our mission
Click or hover to find out more.
- To support more people now and in the future through growth and efficiency.
- To increase the number of skilled and empowered Direct Payment employers and personal assistants.
- To raise awareness of disability, independent living and personalisation.
- To increase independence through better care and support in our communities.
- To support the social model of disability to break down barriers.
Our strategy
Click or hover to find out more.
The Independent Lives strategy has been carefully developed alongside people with lived experience of disability.
Our values
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 values are:
Excellence
Click or hover to find out more.
At Independent Lives, we believe in integrity, accountability, and transparency. Our passion drives us to go above and beyond, delivering high quality, people led services which change lives.
Inclusion
Click or hover to find out more.
We celebrate our differences and believe that embracing diversity makes us stronger. We want to create a world based on respect and understanding where every voice is heard.
Innovation
Click or hover to find out more.
We believe in the power of great ideas. We are unafraid to be bold or to ask why. Through forward thinking, creativity, and the freedom to express ourselves we can shape a better world.
Person Centred
Click or hover to find out more.
We believe in treating people with dignity, compassion, kindness, and respect. By valuing people's lived experiences and recognising their unique circumstances, we can be an organisation that really makes a difference.
Welcome
Welcome to the Independent Lives 2023 impact report. Over the last twelve months we have supported thousands of disabled people, people with long-term health and social care needs and their carers.
Below you will find a snapshot of what our charity got up to in 2023. From innovative new support to exciting fundraising events, read on to find out why Independent Lives is such a valuable part of the health and social care sector.
We have included a PDF version of our impact report along with an easy read guide below. Just click the buttons to down load them now.
As we reflect on the past year, the trustees and I are overwhelmed with gratitude for your unwavering support of Independent Lives and the community of disabled people, support needs recipients, and carers we serve. Your dedication and commitment have been the cornerstone of our success, enabling us to continue our vision of creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, from providing essential domiciliary care support to offering respite services for carers, and empowering individuals through information and advice on Direct Payments, all of which have helped to improve outcomes for disabled people. Your contributions have not only transformed lives but have also strengthened the fabric of our community.
Looking to the year ahead, despite the challenges we have faced we remain focused and filled with excitement and optimism for the growth and opportunities that lie ahead. With your continued support, we are poised to expand our reach and deepen our impact. As we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence, inclusion, innovation, and person centred approaches, we are confident that we will continue to break down barriers and create a more equitable and empowering environment for all.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for championing the vision of a society where every voice is heard, and every individual is valued. Together, we will continue to shape a world where diversity is celebrated, barriers are dismantled, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Chandos Green
Chair of trustees
Welcome to our 2023 impact report. I’m so pleased to be able to share with you our yearly update on all the good work that Independent Lives has been doing. For more than twenty years, Independent Lives' staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives and 2023 has been no different.
Over the last twelve-months we continued providing Direct Payment support services across West Sussex, East Sussex and Croydon, and began work on expanding the support we can offer in East Sussex in the coming months. Our Direct Payment support services have also been greatly enhanced by a programme of improvements to our online Direct Payments resource – PA Pages. More on this later.
Our care and support services have continued their hard work providing person centred, quality care to people in their own homes. The support our dedicated care staff provide allows people to live their lives with choice and control and make a difference each and every day.
2023 also saw us expand into new and innovative areas. We ran a successful project providing support and devices to digitally excluded disabled people, launched our first Friends of Independent Lives membership study and began a new research project into the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people.
You can read more about our impact below but for now I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes Independent Lives the vital charity that it is. I’m immensely proud of the work that we do and excited to see where our innovative work will take us next.
Rebecca Smicle
Chief executive
About us
Independent Lives is a user-led charity working to change the lives of disabled people, people with support needs and carers. We provide a range of frontline services which support people and their communities.
Our vision
Click or hover to find out more.
Our vision is for a fair society where we can all participate and fulfil our potential.
Our mission
Click or hover to find out more.
- To support more people now and in the future through growth and efficiency.
- To increase the number of skilled and empowered Direct Payment employers and personal assistants.
- To raise awareness of disability, independent living and personalisation.
- To increase independence through better care and support in our communities.
- To support the social model of disability to break down barriers.
Our strategy
Click or hover to find out more.
The Independent Lives strategy has been carefully developed alongside people with lived experience of disability.
Our values
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 values are:
Excellence
Click or hover to find out more.
At Independent Lives, we believe in integrity, accountability, and transparency. Our passion drives us to go above and beyond, delivering high quality, people led services which change lives.
Inclusion
Click or hover to find out more.
We celebrate our differences and believe that embracing diversity makes us stronger. We want to create a world based on respect and understanding where every voice is heard.
Innovation
Click or hover to find out more.
We believe in the power of great ideas. We are unafraid to be bold or to ask why. Through forward thinking, creativity, and the freedom to express ourselves we can shape a better world.
Person Centred
Click or hover to find out more.
We believe in treating people with dignity, compassion, kindness, and respect. By valuing people's lived experiences and recognising their unique circumstances, we can be an organisation that really makes a difference.
2023 in numbers
Every year, Independent Lives supports thousands of people through choice and control allowing them to live their lives independently. Last year was no different - take a quick look below at our impact through numbers.
We provided information and advice 7,118 times to 2,217 people.
Our care service provided 51,182 hours of person centred care in people's own homes.
Our carers respite service provided more than 6,000 hours of respite across 2023.
We ran 1,268 adverts helping people recruit the best personal assistants to support them.
We delivered expert training to 456 personal assistants and Direct Payment employers.
We received 1,949 applications for employment on behalf of Direct Payment employers.
We visited people to provide care 69,260 times allowing people to live with choice and control.
We processed 325 DBS checks allowing Direct Payment employers to safely employ personal assistants.
We processed 16,130 payrolls allowing Direct Payment employers to live independently.
We set up new bank accounts for 136 people helping them to manage their Direct Payments.
Our engagement programme, Friends of Independent Lives reached more than 100 members.
Our carers respite service consumed more than 23 gallons of milk serving hot drinks throughout the year.
2023 in numbers
Every year, Independent Lives supports thousands of people through choice and control allowing them to live their lives independently. Last year was no different - take a quick look below at our impact through numbers.
We provided information and advice 7,118 times to 2,217 people.
Our care service provided 51,182 hours of person centred care in people's own homes.
Our carers respite service provided more than 6,000 hours of respite across 2023.
We ran 1,268 adverts helping people recruit the best personal assistants to support them.
We delivered expert training to 456 personal assistants and Direct Payment employers.
We received 1,949 applications for employment on behalf of Direct Payment employers.
We visited people to provide care 69,260 times allowing people to live with choice and control.
We processed 325 DBS checks allowing Direct Payment employers to safely employ personal assistants.
We processed 16,130 payrolls allowing Direct Payment employers to live independently.
We set up new bank accounts for 136 people helping them to manage their Direct Payments.
Our engagement programme, Friends of Independent Lives reached more than 100 members.
Our carers respite service consumed more than 23 gallons of milk serving hot drinks throughout the year.
Care and support
In 2023 we provided care and support services to hundreds of people, allowing them to live independently while maintaining their dignity and respect. All of our care is person centred and focussed on individual needs.
Our highly trained and hardworking care staff delivered more than 50,000 hours of care to people in their own homes. We work to find out what matters most to the people we support and find ways to deliver care which helps people maintain their independence, while achieving their aspirations and hopes.
Providing that level of care and support requires tremendous efforts from our office staff and with their support, we worked on improving our systems and processes in 2023. This means that going forward, we can spend more time on what really matters, helping people to live independent lives.
Our carers respite service provided more than 6,000 hours of support across the year. The service allows carers some much needed respite time as we take care of their loved ones. The staff and our minibus, Malcolm, took customers on a wide range of days out which included visiting Chichester Cathedral, Warnham Nature Reserve and a pantomime in Worthing.
We also worked together to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, Random Acts of Kindness Day, Dementia Awareness Week and Carers Rights Day. Our staff joined others across the organisation to take part in Worthing Pride along with a decorated Malcolm.
As part of our winter campaign to tackle isolation, we organised hampers for all of our care service customers. Supported by a grant from the Asda Foundation, we created and delivered fifty hampers to people filled with essentials and treats.
Care and support
In 2023 we provided care and support services to hundreds of people, allowing them to live independently while maintaining their dignity and respect. All of our care is person centred and focussed on individual needs.
Our highly trained and hardworking care staff delivered more than 50,000 hours of care to people in their own homes. We work to find out what matters most to the people we support and find ways to deliver care which helps people maintain their independence, while achieving their aspirations and hopes.
Providing that level of care and support requires tremendous efforts from our office staff and with their support, we worked on improving our systems and processes in 2023. This means that going forward, we can spend more time on what really matters, helping people to live independent lives.
Our carers respite service provided more than 6,000 hours of support across the year. The service allows carers some much needed respite time as we take care of their loved ones. The staff and our minibus, Malcolm, took customers on a wide range of days out which included visiting Chichester Cathedral, Warnham Nature Reserve and a pantomime in Worthing.
We also worked together to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, Random Acts of Kindness Day, Dementia Awareness Week and Carers Rights Day. Our staff joined others across the organisation to take part in Worthing Pride along with a decorated Malcolm.
As part of our winter campaign to tackle isolation, we organised hampers for all of our care service customers. Supported by a grant from the Asda Foundation, we created and delivered fifty hampers to people filled with essentials and treats.
Videos
As part of our impact report, we asked our chief executive, Rebecca Smicle a few questions about what we got up to. Hit play below to watch the videos.
Videos
As part of our impact report, we asked our chief executive, Rebecca Smicle a few questions about what we got up to. Hit play below to watch the videos.
Direct Payments
2023 was a year of growth and innovation for our Direct Payment support services. As the demand for our services grew, we looked at innovative ways we could support more people and spent time developing our online resource – PA Pages.
PA Pages supports Direct Payment employers to recruit personal assistants, book training, and search a wealth of information and advice. In 2023 we launched an online chat service allowing people to speak directly to one of our trained advisers, as well as made improvements across the site allowing people to quickly and easily find the support they need. Work is underway to further expand the site with even more information and advice and a new streamlined payroll and banking sign up process.
During 2023, we were pleased to be awarded a contract to become the primary provider of Direct Payment support services in East Sussex, expanding on the support we began delivering in 2022. The contract begins in 2024 and our staff have been hard at work getting everything in place ready for the year ahead.
We developed a fantastic new training suite in our Worthing offices where we can offer essential training to personal assistants and their employers as well as making sure our staff are trained with the most up to date skills and knowledge. We are also exploring new locations where we can offer training closer to people’s homes making it more accessible than ever.
Our staff have worked hard to ensure that our services remain responsive to the needs of the people we support. One example of this has been our work alongside West Sussex County Council to support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. We were able to allocate nearly £30,000 in household support vouchers helping to relieve some of the burden currently faced by families in West Sussex.
Direct Payments
2023 was a year of growth and innovation for our Direct Payment support services. As the demand for our services grew, we looked at innovative ways we could support more people and spent time developing our online resource – PA Pages.
PA Pages supports Direct Payment employers to recruit personal assistants, book training, and search a wealth of information and advice. In 2023 we launched an online chat service allowing people to speak directly to one of our trained advisers, as well as made improvements across the site allowing people to quickly and easily find the support they need. Work is underway to further expand the site with even more information and advice and a new streamlined payroll and banking sign up process.
During 2023, we were pleased to be awarded a contract to become the primary provider of Direct Payment support services in East Sussex, expanding on the support we began delivering in 2022. The contract begins in 2024 and our staff have been hard at work getting everything in place ready for the year ahead.
We developed a fantastic new training suite in our Worthing offices where we can offer essential training to personal assistants and their employers as well as making sure our staff are trained with the most up to date skills and knowledge. We are also exploring new locations where we can offer training closer to people’s homes making it more accessible than ever.
Our staff have worked hard to ensure that our services remain responsive to the needs of the people we support. One example of this has been our work alongside West Sussex County Council to support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. We were able to allocate nearly £30,000 in household support vouchers helping to relieve some of the burden currently faced by families in West Sussex.
Fundraising
In June 2023, thirty brave Independent Lives supporters took part in our amazing Drop 360 event, abseiling from Brighton's iconic i360 to rapturous applause below. The event raised more than £10,000 for Independent Lives and will help to make a real difference in people's lives.
We didn't stop there though. Throughout the year, fundraisers took part in inflatable obstacle courses, craft fairs and street collections while working with community partners to help spread disability awareness and the work of Independent Lives.
Our winter fundraising campaign - Remember this December, helped to highlight the unique challenges that isolation can bring to people’s lives, and we continued our fundraising with a festive Santa Dash on Hove seafront.
Thank you to everyone who took part in an event or donated along the way. Your help and support mean the world to us and help us fulfil our vision and deliver our vital work.
Fundraising
In June 2023, thirty brave Independent Lives supporters took part in our amazing Drop 360 event, abseiling from Brighton's iconic i360 to rapturous applause below. The event raised more than £10,000 for Independent Lives and will help to make a real difference in people's lives.
We didn't stop there though. Throughout the year, fundraisers took part in inflatable obstacle courses, craft fairs and street collections while working with community partners to help spread disability awareness and the work of Independent Lives.
Our winter fundraising campaign - Remember this December, helped to highlight the unique challenges that isolation can bring to people’s lives, and we continued our fundraising with a festive Santa Dash on Hove seafront.
Thank you to everyone who took part in an event or donated along the way. Your help and support mean the world to us and help us fulfil our vision and deliver our vital work.
Campaigns and projects
As well as providing frontline support services to people, Independent Lives run a range of projects and campaigns aimed at raising disability awareness and promoting independent living.
![Independent Lives' community researchers, Polly, Gareth and Cara [L-R]](https://www.independentlives.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Website-Banner-CPAR-500x188-panorama-81f36991e2465ecce63eb4bb39957b54-kglxv28sc5tu.jpg "Independent Lives' community researchers, Polly, Gareth and Cara [L-R]")
Community research
In 2023, Independent Lives began working with the NHS on a research project aimed at better understanding the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on disabled people and carers.
Community researchers and a volunteer steering group, all with lived experience, have joined researchers across the south east to deliver a research project which really aims to understand people’s experiences from the ground up. Find out more here.
Membership study
In early 2023, Independent Lives launched its Friends of Independent Lives membership study. Through the study, we asked Friends of Independent Lives members about the things that were important to them and the issues that were most affecting them as disabled people or carers.
You can find out more and download a copy of the report here.
Disability pride
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, Independent Lives held creative workshops online and in the Worthing area in June 2023, giving participants the opportunity to share their experiences and creativity with the local community. The words and stories shared as part of these workshops were turned into postcards and shared locally.
You can read more about the project and see their amazing postcards here.
Digital exclusion
Large numbers of people in the UK lack basic digital skills, impacting their ability to live independent lives. This group of digitally excluded people are particularly prevalent among disabled people.
Independent Lives has been working to improve the digital skills of the people we support, offering one to one and group support sessions as well as access to devices and data.
Remember this December
In winter 2023, our fundraising team launched a campaign to highlight how isolating disability can be. We ran a range of events and with the public's support raised thousands of pounds to help provide Independent Lives essential services now and into the future.
Collaborative working
We worked with a lot of amazing people from all kinds of organisations in 2023. From university students to corporate partners. This collaborative work is key to Independent Lives' success, and we look forward to more of this kind of work in 2024 and beyond.
Campaigns and projects
As well as providing frontline support services to people, Independent Lives run a range of projects and campaigns aimed at raising disability awareness and promoting independent living.
In 2023, Independent Lives began working with the NHS on a research project aimed at better understanding the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on disabled people and carers.
Community researchers and a volunteer steering group, all with lived experience, have joined researchers across the south east to deliver a research project which really aims to understand people’s experiences from the ground up. Find out more here.
In early 2023, Independent Lives launched its Friends of Independent Lives membership study. Through the study, we asked Friends of Independent Lives members about the things that were important to them and the issues that were most affecting them as disabled people or carers.
You can find out more and download a copy of the report here.
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, Independent Lives held creative workshops online and in the Worthing area in June 2023, giving participants the opportunity to share their experiences and creativity with the local community. The words and stories shared as part of these workshops were turned into postcards and shared locally.
You can read more about the project and see their amazing postcards here.
Large numbers of people in the UK lack basic digital skills, impacting their ability to live independent lives. This group of digitally excluded people are particularly prevalent among disabled people.
Independent Lives has been working to improve the digital skills of the people we support, offering one to one and group support sessions as well as access to devices and data.
In winter 2023, our fundraising team launched a campaign to highlight how isolating disability can be. We ran a range of events and with the public's support raised thousands of pounds to help provide Independent Lives essential services now and into the future.
We worked with a lot of amazing people from all kinds of organisations in 2023. From university students to corporate partners. This collaborative work is key to Independent Lives' success, and we look forward to more of this kind of work in 2024 and beyond.
Looking forward
Independent Lives supported thousands of people in 2023, and through the hard work of our staff and volunteers, we grew the charity, supporting more people in more ways and finding new solutions to the challenges people have been facing. 2024 has already started in the same vein and, despite the challenges being faced by our beneficiaries, Independent Lives aims to grow as a charity and derive more good for more people.
As we expand our Direct Payment support services into East Sussex, we will continue working to ensure the best experience for those we support while we make our services as streamlined as possible, ensuring that we use our resources where it matters most.
Work is underway on a range of new updates for our digital platform, PA Pages, with a new payroll and banking online sign-up system launching shortly as well as updates which will support Direct Payment employers to get the information they need as easily as possible.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, a huge burden is being placed on disabled people. With this in mind, we will soon be launching our cost-of-living research alongside the NHS and other voluntary sector organisations. Simultaneously we will be looking to expand our engagement opportunities and look for new ways that volunteers can become involved in what we do.
Independent Lives is a community charity, and our work is shaped, not just by our staff and volunteers, but by our beneficiaries and the communities in which we operate. We would like to thank everyone who has made Independent Lives an impactful organisation over the last twenty years, and we look forward to continuing our journey as we move into 2024.
Looking forward
Independent Lives supported thousands of people in 2023, and through the hard work of our staff and volunteers, we grew the charity, supporting more people in more ways and finding new solutions to the challenges people have been facing. 2024 has already started in the same vein and, despite the challenges being faced by our beneficiaries, Independent Lives aims to grow as a charity and derive more good for more people.
As we expand our Direct Payment support services into East Sussex, we will continue working to ensure the best experience for those we support while we make our services as streamlined as possible, ensuring that we use our resources where it matters most.
Work is underway on a range of new updates for our digital platform, PA Pages, with a new payroll and banking online sign-up system launching shortly as well as updates which will support Direct Payment employers to get the information they need as easily as possible.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, a huge burden is being placed on disabled people. With this in mind, we will soon be launching our cost-of-living research alongside the NHS and other voluntary sector organisations. Simultaneously we will be looking to expand our engagement opportunities and look for new ways that volunteers can become involved in what we do.
Independent Lives is a community charity, and our work is shaped, not just by our staff and volunteers, but by our beneficiaries and the communities in which we operate. We would like to thank everyone who has made Independent Lives an impactful organisation over the last twenty years, and we look forward to continuing our journey as we move into 2024.
