Independent Lives newsletter |
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It's our Summer Independent Lives 'out and about' newsletter
At Independent Lives, we’re dedicated to supporting disabled people, older people, and carers to live independent and fulfilling lives. Through this newsletter, we will keep you updated on our latest services, campaigns, and events, as well as share stories from the people and communities we support.
Whether you are looking for advice, want to get involved, or simply stay informed, we hope you find this newsletter useful. As always, we would love to hear from you, if you have any feedback or stories to share, please get in touch.
We hope you enjoy this Summer edition with an 'out and about theme' getting us through the longer summer days and school holidays.
Thank you for being part of our community.
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Have your say - The South Downs National Park |
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In warmer weather - take on extra fluids |
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We are a youth charity based in Lancing and supporting young people aged 11 - 18 years old.
Our services include Young Carers, Mental Health Support, LGBTQ+ and allies, Street-based Youth Work, After School Sessions, Youth Forum and School Holiday Activities.
We would love to reach more young people who could benefit from our services and support!
Especially with our summer holiday plans!
We've got a fantastic line-up of activities planned to keep young people entertained. From code-cracking adventures to perfect putting and from strategic game planning to relaxing beach fun, all designed to ensure a summer packed with positive experiences.
Young people need to be registered with us to access our school holiday activities as well as our other services so get in touch today https://www.electricstormyouth.co.uk/find-out-more
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Access the Kidz to Adultz latest magazine here |
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Join our employer support groups
If you are a Direct Payment employer and looking for a safe and welcoming space to meet other employers, then our support groups are for you. They are a great space to share your thoughts and ideas and meet other people.
The meeting dates for the remainder of this year can be found below. If you would like to join, then please get in touch by emailing advice@independentlives.org or phoning 01903 219482.
📅 Wednesday 10 September 2025
⏰ 10.30 - 11.30am
🔗 Book here
📅 Wednesday 26 November 2025
⏰ 10.30 - 11.30am
🔗 Book here
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Great news for Individual Employers and their Personal Assistants (PAs) across England!
Independent Lives has been awarded funding from Skills for Care to provide fully-funded training courses and workbooks for those who employ their own PAs. This will run from 11th July 2025 until 31st March 2026, subject to availability. If funding runs out before 31st March, standard Independent Lives charges will apply.
This funding is available for Individual Employers living in England, aged 18 and over who employ their own PAs or contract* self-employed PAs, using either:
- their own money
- adult social care Direct Payments
- NHS Personal Health Budget
Why PA training matters
Well-trained PAs are essential for providing high-quality, personalised care. This funding allows employers to ensure their PAs are confident, skilled, and up to date with best practices, benefiting both employers and their PAs.
Skills for Care’s Individual Employer Fund is also available for those seeking more personalised support. Employers can apply for funding from Skills for Care to develop their skills as an employer, fund training/qualifications for their PAs, and cover associated costs like travel or replacement care.
This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in your team and improve the quality of care provided. Be in safe hands with Independent Lives expert Personal Assistant training — visit our training hub today to secure your place.
*’Contracted’ refers to PAs with true self-employed status. Evidence of self-employed may be needed prior to accessing courses and workbooks.
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August dates released - Don't delay, book your training courses now (please note: July is fully booked)
First Aid (theory and practical)
📍 Worthing
📅 13 August 2025
⏰ 11.30am - 3.30pm
🔗 Book here
An introduction to equality, diversity and inclusion
📍 Online
📅 11 August 2025
⏰ 1.00 - 2.00pm
🔗 Book here
Disability awareness
📍 Online
📅 11 August 2025
⏰ 2.30 - 3.30pm
🔗 Book here
Manual Handling
📍 Worthing
📅 12 August 2025
⏰ 11.30am – 1.30pm
🔗 Book here
Safeguarding
📍 Online
📅 14 August 2025
⏰ 9.30am – 11pm
🔗 Book here
Medication awareness 1 & 2
📍 Online
📅 14 August 2025
⏰ 12.30pm – 3.30pm
🔗 Book here
Mental Capacity
📍 Online
📅 12 August 2025
⏰ 09.30am – 11am
🔗 Book here
Mental Health Awareness
📍 Online
📅 15 August 2025
⏰ 10am – 12pm
🔗 Book here
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Active travel plans (Hove to Portslade) |
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the council is currently consulting about its new Active Travel Plan for the A259 from Hove to Portslade. The scheme extends from Fourth Avenue, Hove all the way to the western city boundary (near Mill Rd, Fishersgate). The council have looked at improvements they can make for all users along this key stretch of the seafront.
The plans include,
• A separated two-way cycle lane
• New pavements and bus stops
• Safer, better aligned crossings and junctions
• New loading and disabled parking bays
The consultation is open until Midnight on Sunday 27 July 2025 and can be found here (2) Project: A259 Hove to Portslade active travel scheme | Brighton & Hove City Council
We wanted to give disabled people and carers an opportunity to share their feedback and ask questions about this new scheme. We have arranged a meeting online using Zoom on Monday 14 July 7-8.30pm. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs to participate in this workshop.
If you cannot attend the meeting, it would be really helpful if you could contact me about your experiences, feedback and questions before the meeting so these can be addressed. We will share the notes from the meeting afterwards and ask the council officers to give us feedback about any changes made as a result of our input.
This will be an open meeting, so feel free to share the meeting link with anyone who would like to attend.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84541175734?pwd=iPaJdJcY52ammXJxCpksuWE3UoFw0W.1
Meeting ID: 845 4117 5734
Passcode: 038965
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Identity Fraud
Identity theft is when your personal details are stolen and Identity fraud, occurs when someone uses another person's personal information without authorisation to commit crimes or deceive others, often for financial gain.
The steps you should take if you are a victim of Identity Fraud:
1. Contact Financial Institutions:
- Inform your bank, building society, and credit card company: Let them know about the potential fraud and any suspicious activity on your accounts.
- Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your statements and online accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
- Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze: This can help prevent further fraudulent activity.
2. Report to Action Fraud:
- Report the fraud to Action Fraud: This is the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre.
- Report online or by phone: You can report online, or by calling 0300 123 2040.
- Obtain a reference number: This will be helpful for future queries and investigations.
3. Call Police:
- If you or another person you are reporting on behalf of is vulnerable, in immediate danger or at risk of harm dial 999 to speak to the Police.
Action Fraud |
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An invitation from Menopause and Mind
Mindful Seafront Walk - Hove Seafront
Tuesday July 15 2025 at 6:30 PM
Join us on a gentle walk along the seafront to meet new people who are experiencing the menopause transition, you will be welcome or chat or simply be in the moment! We will do some mindful exercises to start with and find joy in noticing the sounds, sights and smells around us. This simple act of noticing can help reduce stress. Just like being in ‘green spaces’ being in ‘blue spaces’ where you can see bodies of water such as the sea and coastline is good for body and mind.
We will meet by the Peace Statue in Hove and walk further into Hove, the whole walk will take 45 mins - 1 hour.
You then have the option to join us for a social, we have a table booked at
The Brunswick in Hove near our starting point. It serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and has a pizza kitchen which caters for both vegan and gluten free needs if people want to buy food at the end of the walk.
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GBTQ+ Men Who Create - Six week art course |
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Fabrica has an upcoming GBTQ+ Men Who Create course focused on drawing, please do share with your communities and people you support.
Running from 14 July to 18 August 2025, this weekly six-week course welcomes GBTQ+, non-binary, and trans masc men who are experiencing low mental health.
No previous experience is needed, just a willingness to try something new in a relaxed, supportive group.
Led by artist Jane Fordham, with support from peer facilitator Anthony Stevens, the sessions will explore different drawing materials and styles, including drawing from life models and a museum visit.
This course is funded by The Baring Foundation as part of their men’s creative mental health initiative.
📍 Fabrica Gallery, 40 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG
🎟️ Free / £18 / £36 (pay what you can)
All materials, refreshments, and transport support are provided.
To book or chat by phone, contact Lucy at lucy.groenewoud@fabrica.org.uk or call 01273 778646. |
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Other events around the County:
- Alzheimer’s Society will be holding a drop in Monday 4 August and Monday 1 September 10.30am – 12.30pm at Rustington Library
- Angmering Summer Jam - BMX / SKATE / SKOOT Saturday 12 July 11am - 4pm at Mayflower Park
- Chichester's Emergency Services and Community Day Sunday 24 August 10am - 4pm at Oaklands Park
- Come and find out about the fantastic support and help available in our area at the Support and Ability fair, Wednesday 16 July 9.30am - 12.30pm in Bognor Regis Jobcentre
- Littlehampton Community Support and Information Fair, a vibrant and engaging event hosted by Arun District Council, taking place on Thursday 31 July 10am - 3pm in Littlehampton High Street. This event aims to bring together local community interest groups, clubs, charities, and service providers to showcase the incredible work being done in Littlehampton and to connect with residents in a friendly, open-air setting.
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