Active Independence

29/10/2025

Mindfulness and Making: Catch Up on Our Christmas Card Demo

We know not everyone could join our 'Art of Wellbeing' session today. We are so grateful to Jacqui for filming a demonstration of her painted Christmas Card process to share with everyone.

Creating these cards is a wonderful way to relax and focus this time of year. Please enjoy the therapeutic process and feel free to share your own creations below!

Watch Jacqui's inspiring tutorial now!

27/10/2025

Get crafty with us this Wednesday!

Our Artful Balance session is all about making beautiful, custom Christmas & Birthday gift tags and cards. Perfect for adding that special handmade touch to your gifts

Join us for a FREE afternoon of creativity, connection, and fun. No experience needed!

23/10/2025

City of Doncaster Council

Direct Payments – Working with Doncaster residents
“Your Care and Support – Your Say”

We’re holding an event specifically for any adults currently in receipt of a Direct Payment (via Adult Social Care), or have been previously, and for anyone who is currently a Personal Assistant employed by a Direct Payment holder or their Carer.
The purpose of the event is to provide a focused listening session with Direct Payment recipients, Personal Assistants and Carers. We want to hear what works well, any challenges/barriers/issues faced, satisfaction around choice on support provisions available to help with management of Direct Payments and recruitment of Personal Assistants.

The event will be held at CAST from 1pm - 4pm on Wednesday 29th October 2025. Light refreshments/tea/coffee will be provided.

There are limited places available so please reserve your place by scanning the QR code below and booking your free place through Eventbrite. If for any reason you’re unable to attend on this occasion, we’ll have further opportunities and a diverse range of accessible methods for you to have your input.

We’re keen to capture as much feedback as possible, so please take a few minutes to complete the attached survey in the link below as it will help us to get a real in-depth understanding into what works well and where we can make any improvements.

We’re pleased to have local people with living or lived experience and experts by experience supporting us at the event. Barbara Booton (CEO of Active Independence) and Martin Walker from Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) will also be joining us.

We’re committed to celebrating equality, inclusion and diversity whilst promoting good relations between our diverse communities to ensure that our services are appropriate and accessible for everyone. Our aspiration is for Doncaster to be an open, diverse and inclusive borough which is receptive to new ideas, creativity and innovation. We encourage inclusive participation, please let us know if you have any special requirements to support your attendance.

City of Doncaster Council - Direct Payments Summit. Tickets, Wed 29 Oct 2025 at 13:00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-doncaster-council-direct-payments-summit-tickets-1683654559109

Survey for Direct Payment Recipients - https://forms.office.com/e/fEHASjbxxy
Survey for Personal Assistants - https://forms.office.com/e/QT3HKmSqsM
For any queries please email - Zabina.Kauser@doncaster.gov.uk

20/10/2025

Check your inbox! Our October e-bulletins were sent out last week, with the latest news for our members, disabled people, carers, and PAs in South Yorkshire.

If you didn't get one, or just want to make sure you're on the list for next time, it's easy to sign up!

Just use the button below or send your name and email to Fiona.m@activeindependence.org

Read this month's e-bulletins at

Take a look at the October e-bulletins we sent out early this week. Active Independence Members E-bulletin Updates for Disabled People and Carers in South Yorkshire Active Independence E-Bulletin A…

20/10/2025

Doncaster City Council are inviting Direct Payment Recipients, Personal Assistants, and Carers to share your lived experiences—what works well, what challenges you face, and what could be improved.

Location: CAST, Doncaster
Date: 29th October 2025
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Open to: All individuals using Direct Payments

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-doncaster-council-direct-payments-summit-tickets-1683654559109

Even if you can't attend, they would like everyone to complete the survey below, and help them understand more and how to make improvements

Survey for Direct Payment Recipients - https://forms.office.com/e/fEHASjbxxy
Survey for Personal Assistants - https://forms.office.com/e/QT3HKmSqsM

We’re inviting you to a collaborative event focused on listening, learning, and improving the Direct Payments experience.

20/10/2025

Doncaster City Council are inviting Direct Payment Recipients, Personal Assistants, and Carers to share your lived experiences—what works well, what challenges you face, and what could be improved.

Location: CAST, Doncaster
Date: 29th October 2025
Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Open to: All individuals using Direct Payments

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-of-doncaster-council-direct-payments-summit-tickets-1683654559109

Even if you can't attend, they would like everyone to complete the survey below, and help them understand more and how to make improvements

Survey for Direct Payment Recipients - https://forms.office.com/e/fEHASjbxxy
Survey for Personal Assistants - https://forms.office.com/e/QT3HKmSqsM

20/10/2025

ILG Community Webinar: Fair Pay Agreement
29th October, 2:00–3:00pm

ILG Community would like to invite you to a webinar presented by colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care.

The session will provide an overview of the Government's work to introduce Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) into adult social care. They will give some background to the policy and explain the implications for you.

Registration closes on the 28th October at 7.30pm.

Join us for an engaging session on the new Fair Pay Agreement

17/10/2025

It was a beautiful, crisp morning for our Inclusive Cycling session today. Everyone was in great spirits, enjoying the ride!

We ended the session by adding a little extra sparkle: celebrating birthdays Happy Birthday to Kyle (Track Staff Member) and our wonderful group member Bruce

A big thank you to Kyle for the chocolate cake. What a treat!

17/10/2025

What a brilliant time at our Wednesday Beginner Felting Guide: Making Felt Mushrooms class. Everyone was excited about where their cute little creations are going to live at home.

Love seeing all the fuzzy fungi!

15/10/2025

Here's a peek at the gentle warm-up from today's Chair Yoga session!

What a lovely, relaxing afternoon everyone had.

The perfect finish? Everyone was treated to a soothing hand and neck massage with lavender oils, thanks to the wonderful instructor Cathy.

15/10/2025

15/10/2025

No carer should be pushed into poverty for simply caring. Too many who want to get into paid work are locked out of employment. Carers need specialist support to get into paid work.

Read the full report: https://bit.ly/42wddqs