LCiL is about Independent Living
Independent Living means all disabled people having the same freedom, choice, dignity and control as other citizens at home, at work, and in the community. It does not mean living by yourself or fending for yourself. It means rights to practical assistance and support to participate in society and live an ordinary life
Shared definition within the Independent Living Movement.
The main aims of the Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living are:
- Provide a range of services to support Independent Living, developed and managed by and for disabled people.
- Support the right for disabled people to live independently and take control of their own lives.
- Provide the opportunity for disabled people to further their own personal and professional development, including through peer support.
- Challenge the attitudes and the physical and social barriers that create disability.
What we do
- LCiL can help you with all aspects of Self-Directed Support (SDS)
- LCiL provides payroll and financial management support to people who use a direct payment.
- LCiL provides advice and information about anything which relates to disabled people, people with long-term conditions and older people.
- LCiL provides capacity building, workshops, and training opportunities through information sessions and peer support.
How do we make a difference?
- LCiL’s Disability Advice and Information Service (formerly Grapevine) is an independent, up-to-date, disability information and advice service. In 2023-2024, we supported 352 people through our service.
- LCiL’s Disability Advice and Information Service (formerly Grapevine) – Home Visiting Service, in partnership with NHS Lothian, helped 45 people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to access disability and rights information in 2023-2024.
- LCiL’s SDS Advice and Information Service/Independent Living Service provides information and one-to-one support to help disabled people to recruit and employ Personal Assistants. In 2023-2024, the team worked with 681 people, enabling them to live a full and independent life in the community.
- Payroll and Financial Management Services provide wages processing/ administration for disabled people who employ Personal Assistants, reducing stress and increasing confidence around being an employer. In 2023-2024, the services helped 611 people,
- LCiL’s Peer Support and Learning offers learning, capacity building and peer support workshops. In 2023-2024, 124 people were supported through our service. Increasing people’s confidence, skills and knowledge to assert their rights and live independently, reducing isolation and loneliness.
- LCiL’s Volunteer Programme provides training and support to volunteers with lived experience of disability to share their experiences and ‘tell it like it is’ to peers, professionals and policymakers to inspire and educate on the benefits of independent living.