I was intrigued to notice that "Social Value Act" is currently one of the top searches on Independent Living.

One of the few ways central government has to influence commissioning of local services, the act requires local authorities to consider social, economic and environmental benefits before awarding contracts.

How is it working?

 

Regular readers may remember the saga of Esther Leighton, the wheelchair user who found herself unable to access many of her local shops, and finally launched legal proceedings against seven of them.

Judgement has just been made in the first case to come to court.

How did it go?

 

If you are unfortunate enough to have type I diabetes, you can't do anything to prevent it.

But type II is a very different story, and there is increasing evidence that not only can it be prevented from developing in the first place, but it may also be possible to reverse the condition.

Find out how

 

The Stelios Foundation and Leonard Cheshire have chosen their Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year.

One of the five finalists became the lucky recipient of £30,000 and mentoring from Sir Stelios  – but which one was it?

Find out here!

  

Tomorrow, November 16th, is Pressure Injury Prevention Day. Pressure damage is almost entirely preventable, yet 700,000 people a year are affected in Britain, and it costs the NHS more than £3.8 million a day.

Do you know how to guard against ulcers developing?

Find out more here

  

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

What would you do if an emergency occurred in your neighbourhood? Most of us would like to help – but we're not quite sure how.

The British Red Cross is planning to harness that goodwill, and turn it into a useful community reserve 

More details here

 

Don't forget that you can apply to join the Independent Living Facebook group, if you would like to spend more time discussing these themes with other interested people. 

There are various ways you can get in touch with us: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances