Independent Living Strategy Group

The Independent Living Strategy Group was set up in 2017 to look at how to make Independent Living a right in UK law. Baroness Jane Campbell was the Chair.

In 2019 People First was asked to conduct a survey to find out how we can help the public better understand what we mean by ‘Independent Living’. We were asked to talk to our members and find out what they think about the language we use to describe Independent Living.

For example, would ‘Access to Living’ help the public understand that Independent Living isn’t just about living in your own home, but about all of our support needs.

The majority of people we spoke to preferred the term Independent Living.

Some people said they didn't mind either way but if Access to Living would help widen politicians understand of what independent living means then it would be good to try using that.

We felt that there needed to be more discussion about the language used to support changing the language.

The group stopped meeting in April 2021 but there were plans to continue to drive the work via a small working group.