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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Equal Lives

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Equal Lives

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We are a user-led disability rights organisation based in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Equal Lives is a user-led disability rights charity based in Norfolk and Suffolk that has been established for over 20 years. We exist to support people of any age who face disabling barriers and we are dedicated to making their voices heard.

We are a user led organisation (ULO), meaning we are led by people who access care and support services themselves - with a strong majority of our board identifying as disabled.

We believe in supporting people to empower themselves to live independent lives. We do this through valuable services including Information & Advice, Advocacy, Shopmobility, and Campaigning.

Our mission for disabled people’s independence is why we work to the Social Model of Disability. Developed by disabled people, this model is a progressive way of viewing the world and says that individuals are limited by barriers within society and not by their own impairments or differences. Our aim is to breakdown these disabling barriers and work with people to achieve the life they choose.

If you want to find out more about our services and activities, call our free information advice and support service on: 01508 491210

email: [email protected]
website: http://equallives.org.uk/

30/10/2026

We wish you a fun Halloween weekend and gently remind everyone that disability and visible differences are not Halloween costumes.

30/10/2026

We’ve just shared the final blog of our three-part series in which our Campaigns & Consultancy Officer, Ari, reflects on the past thirty years of disability rights.

In this blog, we look back on the eclectic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cultural conversations around racism that emerged in 2020, what the past two years have been like for Disabled people in the UK, and what history can teach us.

To read the blog, click this link: https://www.equallives.org.uk/post/30-years-of-disability-rights-part-3

[Image description: A large navy blue “30” anniversary logo appears in the top-right corner, featuring orange bird silhouettes and the dates “1996–2026” in red. The central headline reads “30 YEARS OF DISABILITY RIGHTS” in bold, black, condensed capital letters, with “PART 3” displayed beneath in large pink lettering. The background is pale grey and white, featuring layered, overlapping clock faces with Roman numerals and minute markings, creating a sense of time passing and historical significance. A thick navy blue stripe above a broad orange band runs along the bottom edge.]

23/10/2026

We've just shared part two of our three-part blog series looking back on how disability rights in the UK have changed over the past thirty years.

In this instalment, our Campaigns & Consultancy Officer, Ari, reflects on one of the most challenging times to be Disabled in the UK since the Victorian Workhouse; for that reason, please take heed of the trigger warnings throughout the blog.

To read the blog, click this link: https://www.equallives.org.uk/post/30-years-of-disability-rights-part-2

[Image description: A satirical, sarcastic newspaper front page for a fictional newspaper called ‘The Daily Obstacle’. Underneath the title, the headline reads, ‘WANT DISABILITY BENEFITS? JUST FILL OUT AN EASY-PEASY LITTLE FORTY-PAGE FORM!’ with the subheading, ‘Applying for disability benefits is a straightforward process, provided one is ill at a convenient time and has the time, energy, concentration, dexterity, literacy, emotional resilience, and occasional miracle required’. To the left is a black-and-white image of someone’s hand gripping a pen and writing. To the right of the image, the body of text is comprised of Xs, and to the bottom right is a made-up quote from the imaginary ‘Minister for Contradictory Messaging’, saying, ‘We are committed to helping Disabled people to live full, dignified lives. Along the bottom of the page, a strip of text reads, ‘contributing to stigma for over a hundred years’.]

16/10/2026

As Equal Lives celebrates its 30th anniversary, we’re looking back at how disability rights have evolved over the past three decades, reflecting on the progress made and the challenges that remain.

To read the blog, click this link: https://www.equallives.org.uk/post/30-years-of-disability-rights-part-1

[Image description: An infographic titled “30 Years of Disability Rights,” marking 1996–2026. The white background features bold orange and black headings, a central vertical navy and orange stripe, and a navy “30” logo decorated with orange birds. A timeline lists key milestones: the Disability Discrimination Act in 1995; Equal Lives and the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act in 1996; UK ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009; the Equality Act in 2010; austerity from 2010–2019; the Care Act in 2014; and COVID-19 in 2020.]

14/10/2026

Earlier this year, we wrote a few posts about the government’s plans to change how benefits work for Disabled people. We explained that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) hasn't changed yet, but a review is underway to find out what people think of how it works now.

We've just shared a blog that explains where this review is up to.

To read the blog, click this link: https://www.equallives.org.uk/post/what-s-happening-with-pip

[Image description: A simple graphic: green-blue on the left graduates to more baby blue on the right. Overlaying the ombre background, the words ‘What's happening’ appear in bold black text, arced over smaller black text that says, ‘with PIP?’. Equal Lives’ logo sits at the bottom left.]

08/10/2026

At Equal Lives, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary this month.

As we look back to 1996, what were our staff doing that year?

[Image descriptions: Slide one has a background pattern of clocks, hourglasses, and stopwatches in lilac colour. In the foreground, white and orange text reads, ‘Where were our staff 30 years ago?’ on a navy background. At the bottom of the graphic is the Equal Lives logo and our 30th anniversary logo. Equal Lives is written in blue text, with a tagline written in purple: Free from disabling barriers. There are 3 orange birds flying into the air above the writing. The 30th logo has a navy blue 30, with orange birds flying out of the zero. Beneath the number, red text reads ‘1996-2026’. Slide two's background pattern is pale orange. Over the top is a photo of a teenage girl with dark hair wearing a costume including a white bonnet and neckerchief. She is looking to the side, and the camera flash has made her eye red. At the bottom of the graphic is the 30th anniversary logo and the navy text ‘Our Services Manager in 1996’. Slide three's background pattern is pale blue, and the photo is of a girl on a mountain wearing a white hat and scarf, a dark coat and a bright pink rucksack. She is looking over her shoulder at the camera. Underneath reads ‘Our Quality Assurance Officer in 1996’, along with the 30th anniversary logo. Slide four's background pattern is in red. The photo on top is of a girl sitting cross-legged on a sofa. She has dark blonde hair with a full fringe, and is grinning at the camera and holding a Barbie doll. Underneath reads ‘Our Head of Operations in 1996’, along with the 30th anniversary logo. Slide five's background pattern is in purple. The photo on top is of a teenage girl with long dark hair wearing a floral dress and smiling at the camera. Underneath reads ‘Our Norfolk Advocacy Partnership Coordinator in 1996’, along with the 30th anniversary logo. Slide six's background pattern is pale orange. The photo on top is a one-year-old wearing pink dungarees and sitting on a parent’s knee. She has a few tufts of brown hair and is looking uncertainly at the camera. Underneath reads ‘Our Fundraising and Marketing Officer in 1996’, along with the 30th anniversary logo. Slide seven's background pattern is in blue. The photo is of a girl, approximately ten years old, wearing a fluorescent pink T-shirt and a white baseball cap backwards. She has shoulder-length dark hair and is smiling. Underneath, it reads ‘Our Campaigns and Consultancy Officer in 1996’, along with the 30th anniversary logo. Slide eight's background pattern is red. The photo is of a boy, approximately fifteen years old, wearing a green school uniform jumper and a white shirt. He has brown hair tucked behind his ears and is smiling broadly. Underneath, it reads ‘Our CEO in 1996’, along with the 30th anniversary logo.]

07/10/2026

Do you regularly use NHS dental services? Have you struggled to get an appointment? Or maybe you need additional support to access dental care?

Norfolk & Suffolk Integrated Care Board is asking for your feedback to help them plan and buy services that better meet the needs of the local people.

Please complete the online survey by clicking here: https://www.letstalkhealthandcare.co.uk/dental/surveys/take-part . If you need a copy of the survey in a different format, email [email protected] or [email protected].

At the end of the survey, you can enter your details to enter the draw to win a £20 voucher.

[A promotional graphic from NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board titled “Getting to the root of dental care in Norfolk and Suffolk.” It invites people to share their views and complete a dental care survey for a chance to win a £20 voucher. The graphic states that winners are selected every three months, with terms and conditions applying and one entry per person. The design uses a dark blue background with turquoise and white text, decorative star shapes, and a stylised tooth illustration with dental symbols. The NHS logo and organisation name appear at the top right. A website address, LetsTalkHealthAndCare.co.uk/dental, is displayed along the bottom beside a globe icon.]

08/09/2026

We have shared a blog on our website about the recent heatwaves and the impact of climate change on Disabled people's lives.

Click the link to read the blog: https://www.equallives.org.uk/post/disabled-people-want-to-stay-cool

[Alt text: A collage-style artwork showing a painted path leading to the ocean, a paper sun, blue-green-and-white painted paper, plastic bottles, and a hand holding a sign that reads “Disabled people want to stay cool.” The Equal Lives has been placed on the bottom left hand corner. This Equal Lives logo features the words Equal Lives in white text. To the right of the text are small, simple bird silhouettes in flight. Beneath the name is the tagline “Free From Disabling Barriers”.]

01/09/2026

Norfolk County Council would like to hear your thoughts on their proposal to charge for the council’s money management (Appointee) service. The consultation closes at midnight on Monday 12 October 2026.

Full details can be found here: https://norfolk.citizenspace.com/consultation/7312c5e6/

How to take part:

There is an online feedback form, and print at home, large print and easy read versions are available. There will be drop-in events where you can find out more before giving your views. All details can be found at the above link.

If you need a copy of the consultation documents in a different format, you can email [email protected], call 0344 800 8020 or Text Relay on 18001 0344 800 8020 (textphone).

27/08/2026

We are launching a new PA Register in Suffolk!

We’re looking for people interested in care and support work to join our PA Register today.

As a Personal Assistant, you could help with everyday tasks, getting out and about, appointments, meals, social activities, and personal care. Every role is unique, but they all make a real difference.

No matter your background, if you have the skills to support people to live life their way, we’d love to hear from you.

Follow the link to register your details for our launch on the 7th September 2026
https://www.suffolkindependentliving.org.uk/pa-register

Address

Ground Floor, St Vedast House, 5-7 St Vedast Street
Norwich, Norfolk
NR1 1BT

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441508491210

Website

http://www.equallives.org.uk/

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