what we do

The most important thing that Improving Lives does is exactly what it was set up to do right back at the start - provide a place for people to turn to for advice and support. Our ethos has always been to give people the help they need first time and be able to address any issue so that people are not passed about or left on waiting lists. 

Our advisors offer one to one support and can create personalised plans for our clients which document their issues, how to resolve these, their needs and goals and how these can be achieved.  Our advisors have a  great knowledge of existing supports and services for referring clients to and are always updating this. 

We also have thousands of contacts in our database for various new hobbies, groups and organisations in West Dunbartonshire and beyond. We can even help to introduce clients to new groups or other organisations for the first time to make those first steps a little easier for you. 

When people turn to us we want them to feel seen and heard and that their experience with Improving Lives has been a positive one. Our advisors are friendly and non judgemental and each person is treated as the most important person in the building. 

The other side of Improving Lives has always been to take information and advice out to the community with our stalls and to raise awareness of the issues faced by people living with disabilities and the supports available through our awareness sessions and information open days. 

Community Stalls - We hold stalls in health centres, shopping centres, community centres, food banks and events hosted by other organisations. 

Awareness Days - Throughout the year we hold awareness sessions or events to highlight particular issues or to showcase supports for a particular disability or condition. 

Annual Open Day - Every year we hold the biggest information and support open day in West Dunbartonshire with over 50 other organisations showcasing what they offer. 

Since moving to our premises at 627 Dumbarton Road we have been able to add some peer support and community groups to what we offer. These are run by volunteers, many designed to fill the gaps identified by our advisors and all play a vital role for the people who attend.  

Examples of our groups include our Sight Loss Group, Art for Anxiety, ADHD Support Group, Men's Fishing Group and Autism Support and Discussion Group. 

In 2024 we were given the opportunity to expand the services we offer the public by becoming a SiRD (Support in the Right Direction) funded independent advice organisation for Self Directed Support. covering West Dunbartonshire. With our charity being built on the very principles of Community Brokerage and a whole person approach, Self Directed Support was the perfect fit for Improving Lives.

Community brokerage is about supporting people in their own communities, through early intervention and maximising the use of community resources. It supports people to plan and access their social care through any of the Self Directed Support options. It is a way of working which encourages communities and individuals to be resilient and exercise choice and control.

We have dedicated staff that work on this department of Improving Lives exclusively. 

We have Voiceability Advocates in our premises 5 days a week. This allows us to give our clients access to welfare rights services in a building they know and are familiar with. 

BENEFITS AN ADVOCATE CAN SUPPORT YOU WITH INCLUDE:

* Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment

* Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment

* Best Start Grant School Age Payment

* Best Start Foods

* Carers Allowance Supplement

* Job Start Payment

* Child Disability Payment

* Child Winter Heating Assistance

* Funeral Support Payment

* Scottish Child Payment

* Young Carer Grant

* Adult Disability Payment

Get in touch with us to book your appointment.

Telephone 0141 237 4560

Did you know we can help you apply for or renew your National Entitlement Card (NEC) disabled persons bus pass? Or that we can advise and support you to apply for a Blue Badge?

Get in touch for more information.

Call 0141 237 4560 for more information or to book an appointment with one of our advisors

We provide access to a purpose built accessible sensory garden and wellbeing allotment with an ongoing calendar of sessions, events and workshops. People are given ownership and responsibility at the plots, have the opportunity to be a part of a like minded community, cultivate, plant and grow their own plants including being able to take these away. 

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Workshops - 

We have plans for several workshops and are currently planning more.

* Herbs and How To Use Them

* Build Your Own Window Box

* Mindful Gardening

* Specific repair workshops

* Grow Your Own sessions

* Allotment Management

*Understanding Plants

* Growing Food to Support Wellbeing 

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Educational Skills Building - 

* Practical training and learning

* Nutritional Education

* Rewarding work experience

* Positive outdoor experiences

* Collaboration and Teamwork

* Improved confidence

* Skills development  

* Community connections.

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An Oasis of Calm -

Our Sensory Garden is an oasis of calm in a busy town. This is the perfect environment for quiet time for families with children with additional needs, a peaceful place for anyone dealing with grief but also a joyful sensory experience for anyone wanting to connect with nature. ​

We are passionate about ensuring that disabled people have the same access to opportunities as everyone else and sport holds a special place in our hearts. We are committed to bringing accessible disability friendly sports to West Dunbartonshire. Our first move in this has been to introduce disability karate to the area. To make this possible we work with Kugatsu Disability Karate and the Antonine Sports Centre. We are currently looking at various other disability sports and how to bring them to West Dunbartonshire. 

Are you looking for a meeting space? Office space for drop ins or appointments? A place for holding groups or classes?

Get in touch with us today.

Telephone 01412374560

Email contact@improvinglives.co.uk

​We also allow other community and support groups to use our space and although these groups are not ours it adds to the services and supports available to our clients. These groups include a knit and natter group, a jewellery group, sewing group, a local community council and an epilepsy support group. 

As part of our advisory service we hold a ‘Breakfast and Blether’ session every morning where anyone can pop in and get a chat with one of our advisors over a cuppa and some free breakfast.

This allows us to reach people who may not usually reach out for help and allow people to get an idea of the help available without committing to an appointment. 

We have Digital Champions who can offer one to one or group sessions for anyone wanting to increase their confidence and knowledge of their devices and the internet. This can include ordering prescriptions, staying safe online, staying connected with friends and family, using technology to stay healthy and using digital banking. 

We have partnered with Patchwork Ponies to offer animal therapy and "time with animals" sessions. Animal therapy offers a range of emotional, social, and developmental benefits for children and young people. Interacting with animals can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, while also promoting confidence, empathy, and emotional regulation. In particular, spending time with ponies can be especially powerful. The gentle, non-judgemental nature of ponies helps children feel safe and accepted, which can be especially beneficial for those who have experienced trauma or struggle with communication.