Spreading the word about Independent Options
Following on from a recent visit from Mark Hunter MP, Nicky Jones has been speaking to Pure 107.8FM about how Independent Options is using the Big Lottery grant that funds the work of its Children and Family Centre.Pure 107.8 FM broadcasts exclusively in Stockport and adults with learning, physical and/or sensory disabilities have an active role in running… Read more »
New Year, New Appointment!
David Little has joined Independent Options as Director of Services. This new post has been created to provide leadership and support to our operational management team who are responsible for ensuring the delivery of high quality and cost-effective services. The new role will support the development of new services, especially those for people with Individual Budgets. David, who has a professional background in learning… Read more »
Sub-Committee Party Time!
People who serve on the Independent Options Service User sub-committee got together with staff for a Christmas celebration after a year of hard work helping with various aspects of running the organisation. Sub-committee members have played an important part in reviewing and amending policies, planning and organising meetings and events and being part of an interview and assessment… Read more »
A new way to support Independent Options!
Independent Options’ supporters can now raise funds to support our work just by shopping online. We have just launched Give as you Live, an online shopping App that can turn every pound people spend online into funds to support our work. The initiative is managed by Everyclick, a well established company with a search engine of the same name, that… Read more »
A Happy Holiday!
Four people who live together in one of our supported living services recently enjoyed a sea cruise, taking in the ports of Vigo, Lisbon, La Rochelle and Brest. With support from Independent Options staff they planned and organised their trip and reported that they had a very happy holiday. One of the group, Melissa Anderson, said, “We all had a great experience as we… Read more »
MP visits the Children and Family Centre
Mark Hunter MP recently paid a special visit to our Children and Family Centre, accompanied by Helen Bullough, Head of North West Region for the Big Lottery Fund. Helen wanted to show the MP how over £288,000 Reaching Communities funding is helping Independent Options to deliver services to vulnerable children and families. Mark thanked the Big Lottery Fund for funding the Children and Family… Read more »
Deputy Chair Appointed
John Woodruff has been appointed by his fellow trustees as the Deputy Chair of Independent Options. As well as stepping in for the Chair, Keith Burdett, he will work closely with the other trustees and the senior management team to make sure that the Charity’s strategy continues to deliver high quality support to people with… Read more »
Care Quality Commission praises Shared Lives services in England
Independent Options welcomes the announcement today that Shared Lives (Adult Placement) services are providing England’s best-rated form of care, support and accommodation for people with disabilities and older people. The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the government’s social care inspectors for England, have released their last ever annual report showing that 97% of Shared Lives schemes… Read more »
Children and Family Centre Events!
With the festive season approaching, the Independent Options Children and Family Centre will be planning its programme of Christmas activities. Centre Manager Nicky Jones said “We hope families will keep an eye on the Children and Family Centre page of the Independent Options website where we will be publishing details of events that are coming… Read more »
Introducing Groovy Moovers!
A new music and movement initiative, Groovy Moovers, is starting at the Independent Options Children and Family Centre this month. The first event – the Groovy Moovers Picnic – is on 19 November and there will be more events in the coming months. Centre Manager Nicky Jones said, “Our Groovy Moovers activities will be great fun for children who love singing,… Read more »