Providing services for individuals, groups and professionals

Going For Independence (GFI) specialises in providing:

- Information and advice on independent living
- Specialist training for organisations
- Community Social and Leisure Activities 

- Specialist activities for Blind and visually impaired people

- Inclusive Art workshops and training
- Consultancy Services, Research and Development
- Links to Independent OTs
- A free service identifying local support organisations for people

Many people will be affected by a loss of mobility or sensory impairment at some time in their lives, either directly through accident, illness or injury, with a condition that deteriorates with age, or through the experience of a close relative or friend.

We provide advice and information about specialist equipment and adaptations in a timely way which is therefore of interest to the population as a whole, for all age groups – GFI can help you to find the networks and services you need in your local area.

Our aim is for people to be empowered to live life to the full and to stay independent, with choice and control over their lives.

Our mission is to help people to recognise the value of occupation and meaningful activity and to be motivated to engage with their communities.

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Independent Living Centres

Follow this link to find an Independent Living Centre near you, listed with their contact details around the UK. These centres provide impartial information and advice on equipment and adaptations and other local services.

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Consultancy and Partnership working

GFI has a wealth of experience in research and development focusing on independent living, equipment and adaptations and on assisting charities and social enterprises with their not-for-profit business models and fund raising. See our page on Consultancy services.

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GDPR- General Data Protection Regulations 2018

GFI has a GDPR policy in place covering the data privacy of any information we may hold relating to the people we work with.

Contact GFI for more information about our services by telephone on 01287 204204 or email going4independence@ymail.com

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Social Enterprise in Residence at Teesside University 

Since 2019 GFI has been Social Enterprise in Residence at Teesside University and we are based on campus at the Assembly Room in the Victoria Building, enjoying the great opportunities it offers for networking and promotion of our work. We provide mentoring for students and graduates and advise on the pros and cons of running businesses with a social purpose. 

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Thank you to National Lottery players!

We are now into year 2 of our Sea-ing Sense Project funded by the Heritage Lottery, which is enabling people with visual impairments to access experiences of the coast, through multi-sensory workshops and guided walks.

We are creating soundscapes to record those experiences and developing a new website with resources for other organisations wanting to develop their own nature walks.

Watch this space for more information as the project develops.

                  

A huge thank you to the National Lottery 

Our thanks to all National Lottery Players - and to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting us with Reaching Communities grant to provide social activities in the Tees Valley region for Blind and visually impaired people.

Over the next twelve months from July 2022 we are planning picnics in the park, card making, games, quizzes, exercise and more, tailored specifically for people with sight loss. 

Follow us on our Facebook page at GoingFor Independence ___________________________________________________________________________________________       

Workshops in the community

GFI has set up a new inclusive service providing social activities for people who love to be creative but find they are not generally able to access local art and craft classes because of a loss of mobility, a sensory impairment or other health issues. We can run sessions for groups of up to 12. 

If you are interested in asking us to run these workshops for your client group in your organisation or residential home or in a local accessible venue, please contact us for more information on Email: going4independence@ymail.com or ring us on 01287 204204.