Who we are
Going For Independence CIC is an organisation for social benefit.
We are on a mission to help people feel empowered to live life to the full and to stay independent for as long as possible.
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.
Our aim is to support people with advice, information and social activities.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We have great news- we are thrilled to have received financial support in 2025 from Arts Council England to create a new audio drama, working with our network of visually impaired people from across Teesside and Whitby-based Dogwood Productions, with some additional funding being provided from the Teesside Charity to hold a launch celebration.
see more at https://www.sensingthewild.info/bel-view
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Take a look at the helpful information about accessible travel for disabled people on our Resources page.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Services we provide
- Information and advice on independent living
- Community Social and Leisure Activities
- Specialist activities for Blind and visually impaired people
- Consultancy Services, Research and Development
- Links to Independent OT's
- A free service identifying local support organisations for people
- Specialist training for organisations
How can we help you?
No matter where you are based in the UK, we will do our utmost to connect you with your local support networks and advise you on any queries you may have about independent living and equipment.
We are a Community Interest Company, an organisation with social objectives - Much of our work is charitable and our information and advice service is free.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to The Ballinger Charitable Trust for making our work possible via their generous core funding.
And to National Lottery Players through the National Lottery grant programme which helps to fund our projects and activities for people with sight loss, Long Term Conditions, Carers and those they care for.
Testimonials
"I want to thank you for your detailed assessment visit recently. You put us at our ease immediately and we felt confident that you would help us make the right choices- and you did. All your suggestions and observations were spot on."
- Marion C
"I would like to thank the GFI team as you were so kind to me while I was going through one of the hardest times of my life...
GFI showed me all the help we were entitled to and who I could contact and what equipment I would need. I wished I had known about GFI before my mum came home as I’m sure the beginning would have been a lot less stressful"
- Tonia Barnett
