Supporting people to improve their quality of lifeWe provide help to thousands of local people

each year through information, advice and practical support.

A snapshot of the charity’s service users in 2016/17

657

80

Over 6000

5313

134

Active for All supports and promotes physical activity in adults with mental health problems and/or learning

disabilities. 657 service users engaged in boccia, football walking and much more.

Better Futures provides support, information and advice on day to day issues and helps individuals to develop the skills to further independence through a range of groups, workshops and activities. We have 80 members with a

learning disability.

Caring for Carers is a partnership between Improving Lives Plymouth and Age UK Plymouth. We understand how

difficult looking after someone can be and we’re here to help. We have over 6,000 carers registered with us.

Information and Advice was provided to 5,313 service users in the Advice

Plymouth Drop-In. Working in partnership with Citizens Advice Plymouth

Long-Term Conditions Self-Management empowers people living with any

long-term physical or low level mental health condition to better manage their condition and to achieve a better quality

of life. We provided 15 LCSM courses with 134 course participants.

3187

Sensory Solutions makes a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of people with sensory loss, through the provision of specialist support,

information, and Advice. We helped 3,187 people.

1136

Volunteer Connections help prospective volunteers find interesting and rewarding

placements and support organisations to provide good quality volunteering

programmes. We connected with 1,136 potential volunteers who want to

volunteer in Plymouth.

Supporting people since 1907

Company Limited by Guarantee Reg. No. 2610208 England Reg. Charity No. 1066776Company Registered Office: Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth PL1 2DA Chief Executive: George Plenderleith

Email: ilp@improvinglivesplymouth.org.ukWebsite: www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

How we help: A mental health service user used our Active for All buddying service to go swimming at the Life Centre. 15 years ago he had been involved with local swimming clubs; taking part in various tournaments and competitions, but felt recently unable to get back in the water as he had lost all confidence. With our support, he got back into the pool and has now re-joined a local swimming club.

Mr M attended Sensory Solutions’ Insight Course. This gave him an introduction to the support available to help him come to terms with and manage his sight loss. He also purchased some of the assistive technology that was demonstrated by us. He selected the OrCam MyEye that enables him to read his own post and newspaper, a long-term loan of a Wireless for the Blind (BWFB) radio keeps him in touch with current affairs.

Long-Term Conditions Self-Management Course participant said, “I have attended several courses around managing my mental health in the past and feel yours has been the most beneficial. The group was made up of people with different disabilities, which was refreshing, as in the past all of my other courses were made up of just mental health problems. I took away several skills which I use regularly.”

When Sallyann retired from the NHS due to ill health she was unable to walk for longer than 10 minutes. Volunteer Connections linked her to South West Lakes Trust where she is spending time outside and her health and wellbeing has improved dramatically, so much so that next year she is taking part in the Camino Way where she will be taking on the challenge of walking 700km over 40 days.

Jenny, a previous member of Better Futures, returned after nearly four years away, having become completely isolated and withdrawn. She was unable to make her own decisions, unable to initiate any activities and was struggling with basic life skills which was affecting her relationship with her family. Since returning, Jenny has grown in confidence, has made friends and can now travel independently to and from our centre.

Malcolm met with a Caring for Carers Support Coordinator to have a statutory carers assessment undertaken. During the assessment he disclosed that he was experiencing financial difficulties, as due to a clerical error he was receiving no benefits and his wife, who he cares for, had also had her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) stopped. He has low literacy skills and was unable to complete the forms and he didn’t know where to turn. He was drinking heavily to avoid dealing with his challenging emotions and his current circumstances. Working with our Information and Advice service, we have helped him

and his wife to get the benefits they are entitled to, referred him for counselling, and given him a small grant for a carers respite break to help him get back on his feet. He is in a better place and is looking to tackle his alcohol problem.