The Independent Living Agency

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The Independent Living Agency

This month, Jon Cruddas MP’s team had the pleasure and privilege of meeting with The Independent Living Agency (ILA). The Independent Living Agency is based in Barking and Dagenham and located at the Dagenham Business Centre. The Independent Living Agency started in a council office with one computer and a desk 25 years ago. With the support and hard work of CEO Terry Miller MBE, Trustee Keith Smith, other Trustees and the dedicated staff, The Independent Living Agency has now progressed and provide support to thousands across The Borough.

The Independent Living Agency aim to:

  • Improve and integrate existing services as well as help shape & influence new services.
  • Share knowledge, expertise and information.
  • Develop a strong and united voice for disabled people, carers and vulnerable residents.

The service is user led, and nearly all the existing staff and trustees have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions or learning disabilities. 82% of the staff live within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council.

What do the Independent Living Agency offer?

The ILA provide a variety of services for those who require extra support. They offer financial management for individuals (including their pensions and carers allowance). Alongside this financial management, the ILA work with individuals to check they are receiving all benefits they are entitled to.

The ILA also offer a “Cleaning and Shopping Service” where they provide a trusted and professional cleaning and shopping service for local residents.

The ILA also work and engage with individuals to help them learn new skills and live independently. Their aim is to ensure that people can remain living independently in their own home. The ILA also fight for better rights and social inclusion.

Floating support

As part of The ILA’s work, they offer “floating support”. Floating support can help you resolve a housing crisis and improve your skills and confidence to take control of your life and make your own decisions. This support could include: helping individuals with moving into new accommodation and setting up a tenancy, helping individual’s with getting back to work, working around any problems individuals are facing in their homes which may lead to homelessness and much more.

Who is eligible for this support?

Floating support is available to vulnerable people who need help with their housing issues and who live in independent accommodation. Vulnerable people could include people facing: mental health difficulties, alcohol and drug dependency, people with physical disability, people with a sensory impairment, people with a learning disability of difficulty, young people leaving care, and many more.

Contact

The Independent Living Agency can be contacted on  020 8593 6677. Or via their website at: CONTACT US | ILA (independentlivingagency.org)

Jon Cruddas MP: “The work of Terry Miller MBE and the whole Independent Living Agency staff is hugely admirable. The team were immensely pro-active throughout the pandemic and have provided support for thousands of residents throughout The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. I applaud their hard work and encourage any residents who require this support and are eligible, to contact The Independent Living Agency”.