Over the past four years, we have expanded our services across Sussex, Croydon, and parts of London, ensuring that more people have access to the support they need. Our Direct Payment support services have grown significantly, meeting increased demand and providing vital guidance to thousands of individuals managing their own care.

Through digital transformation, including enhancements to our PA Pages platform and investment in cloud-based systems, we have improved efficiency and accessibility. These developments have allowed us to support more people while maintaining financial sustainability in an increasingly challenging funding environment.

We have worked tirelessly to ensure that more people can confidently employ personal assistants and take control of their care. Our training and support for Direct Payment employers have empowered thousands to manage their responsibilities effectively, while our work with Skills for Care has strengthened training pathways for personal assistants.

In 2024 alone, we supported over 2,600 people through our Direct Payment information and advice helpline, an increase of more than 20% compared to the previous year. Additionally, our personal assistant recruitment support saw a surge in engagement, with nearly 80% more applications generated through our job advertising service.

Our campaigns and research projects have amplified the voices of disabled people and carers, bringing attention to key issues affecting their lives. Through our partnership with NHS England, we have played a leading role in co-production and peer leadership initiatives, ensuring that lived experience informs policy and service design.

We also launched the Friends of Independent Lives membership study, engaging with members to understand the challenges they face and advocating for meaningful change. Our work on the cost-of-living crisis has highlighted the severe impact of rising costs on disabled people, influencing discussions at both local and national levels.

Our Care and Support services have remained a lifeline for many, delivering high-quality, person-centred care that promotes independence. In 2024, our care teams provided over 74,000 home visits, enabling people to live with dignity and choice in their own homes.

We have also continued to develop our carers’ respite service, providing over 6,000 hours of support to help carers balance their responsibilities and wellbeing. Whether through home care, respite, or our hospital discharge support services, we have helped people remain independent for as long as possible.

Independent Lives has always been driven by the social model of disability—recognising that it is society, rather than individual impairments, that creates barriers to inclusion. Over the last four years, we have championed this approach through our work, from enabling disabled people to recruit and employ personal assistants to ensuring our services remain user-led.

A key example of this advocacy is Tyler’s Story, our short film highlighting the realities of living with a disability and the importance of inclusion and independence. By sharing real experiences, we have challenged perceptions and encouraged a wider conversation about breaking down barriers in society.

Our volunteer and student placement programmes have also provided opportunities for disabled people to share their skills, increase confidence, and help shape our services. We have worked closely with commissioners to promote the value of third-sector organisations in delivering truly inclusive support, ensuring that the voices of disabled people remain central to decision-making.