1. Children's Hospice Week

There is just one week in the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the 54 children's hospices around the UK which care for children with life limiting illnesses and their families.

They are all charities which depend on donations from supporters and also a government grant - but this is due to run out in 2024. Together for Short Lives is asking for a commitment to maintain funding so that children's hospices can continue their essential work.

Keep reading here

2. AbilityNet webinars

AbilityNet, the charity which focuses on making the digital world accessible to all, has a couple of useful free events coming up.

Next Tuesday, in conjunction with the RNIB, they are presenting a webinar on technology to help people with sight loss. And on Thursday 7th July, a free training session, an Introduction to Digital Accessibility.

Find out more here, including how to register.

3. Uccello Designs

I am delighted to be able to introduce you to our newest site subscriber on Independent Living! Uccello Designs was set up specifically to make life easier for people by creating assistive products that are both stylish and safe to use.

Here you can see their beautifully conceived kettle, which tilts to dispense water without any strength or dexterity required.

See more about their products on their showcase page

4. Table cricket finals

Table cricket is an adapted form of cricket played on a table tennis table. 

It takes all the aspects of mainstream cricket, providing a more inclusive and accessible form which allows young people with a wide range of disabilities to participate.

Appropriately, the National finals have just been held at Lord's, the home of cricket.

Read on for more information, including who won

5. CASCAIDr walk for justice

The annual London Access To Justice Walk is taking place on 28th June, and legal advice charity CASCAIDr is taking part as usual. If you can afford to donate to support their important legal advice work, you can do so here.

Each year, they choose to focus on a different aspect of legal literacy, and this time it is the shocking reality that more than 2000 people in Britain - who are not mentally ill - are detained in psychiatric hospitals. This is essentially down to a lack of political will and understanding of how to organise appropriate care and support in the community, for people who are simply 'different'...

Read more here

6. Talk Lipoedema

What do you know about lipoedema? If you're anything like me, probably not much at all!

It is a condition - most likely genetic - which mainly affects women. It leads to disproportionate accumulations of fat, generally on the lower half of the body.

Widely undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, lipoedema often remains untreated. Talk Lipoedema is the leading Scottish charity for the condition, and has just launched a new website - more information here.