Having a disability or health condition shouldn't stop you from accessing opportunities. Support is available to help with:physical and mental healthAutism and ADHDlearning disabilitiesindependent living skillseducation and trainingemployment and careersbenefits and financial supportsocial connections and wellbeingcaring responsibilities and family support. If you're unsure where to start, don't worry. Many local organisations can help you understand what support is available and connect you to the right services.

Livewell SouthwestLivewell Southwest provides health and social care services across Plymouth, helping people stay healthy, independent and supported within their communities. Support may include:mental health support and talking therapiescommunity mental health serviceslearning disability servicesphysical health supportchildren's and young people's servicesoccupational therapy and rehabilitationwellbeing and lifestyle support. Website: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ Improving Lives PlymouthImproving Lives Plymouth supports people experiencing challenges relating to disability, health, caring responsibilities, isolation and wellbeing. They offer practical advice, community activities and specialist support services. Support includes:information, advice and guidancewellbeing supportsupport for people with sight or hearing losssupport for adults with learning disabilitiescommunity activities and groupshelp for unpaid carersbenefits and welfare advice. Website: https://www.improvinglives.org.uk/

Extra support is available if you need help with daily living, accessing services or becoming more independent. This may include:independent living skillstravel confidencecommunication supportassistive technologysupport accessing community activitieslearning disability and autism servicesoccupational therapy and rehabilitation support. If you're not sure what support you may be entitled to, speak to Improving Lives Plymouth, Livewell Southwest or your GP.

Looking for work but facing extra challenges? There are specialist services that can help if your disability, health condition or neurodiversity makes it harder to find or stay in work. Connect to WorkConnect to Work is a free supported employment programme for people with disabilities, health conditions or complex barriers to employment. The programme provides personalised support to help people find and sustain meaningful work. Support includes:one-to-one employment supportCV and interview preparationconfidence buildingjob matchingworkplace adjustment adviceongoing support once you're in work. Find out more: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/connect-work-supported-employment-programme Scope UKScope offers online employability support for disabled people, including careers guidance, confidence building, workplace skills and job-search support. Support can help you prepare for work, develop your skills and improve your confidence when applying for jobs. Website: https://www.scope.org.uk PLUSSPLUSS supports people facing barriers to employment to build confidence, develop employability skills and move towards work, education or training. Support may include:employability workshopscareers guidanceconfidence buildingtraining opportunitiesjob-search support. Website: https://www.pluss.org.uk Complete IndependenceComplete Independence supports young people and adults with disabilities and additional needs to develop independence and progress into education, training and employment opportunities. Support focuses on building confidence, life skills and aspirations for the future. Website: https://www.completeindependence.co.uk

If you're in education, training or employment, you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments and additional support. Examples include:specialist equipment or softwareexam access arrangementsstudy supportcommunication supportflexible working arrangementstravel supportlearning support assistantsworkplace adjustments.

Access to Work is a government scheme that can provide practical and financial support to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into work or stay in work. Support may include equipment, travel costs, job coaching and mental health support. Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

You may be entitled to financial support because of a disability, health condition or caring responsibilities. This could include:Personal Independence Payment (PIP)Universal Credithelp with housing costscarer's support and benefitsother disability-related financial support. Support and advice are available from:Citizens Advice PlymouthImproving Lives PlymouthDepartment for Work and Pensions (DWP) services  Getting advice can help make sure you're receiving all the support you're entitled to.

If you're aged 18 to 25 and help care for a family member or friend with an illness, disability, addiction or mental health condition, support is available. Improving Lives Plymouth's Young Adult Carers Service offers one-to-one support, monthly drop-ins, activities, advice and support with education and employment. Support includes:one-to-one supportsocial activitiesinformation and advicecarers assessmentsemployment and education supportpeer support from others in similar situations. Find out more: https://improvinglives.org.uk/young-adult-carers/

Connect to WorkSupported employment programme for people with disabilities and health conditions.Email: ctw@plymouth.gov.uk  Website: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/connect-work-supported-employment-programme Improving Lives PlymouthInformation, advice, wellbeing and disability-related support.Website: https://www.improvinglives.org.uk/Telephone: 01752 201890 Livewell SouthwestHealth, wellbeing and community care services.Website: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/   Telephone: 01752 434700 Scope UKOnline support, careers advice and employability resources for disabled people.Website: https://www.scope.org.uk  PLUSSEmployability support, training and progression opportunities.Website: https://www.pluss.org.uk  Complete IndependenceSupport with independence, education, training and employment.Website: https://www.completeindependence.co.uk Remember: Asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Whether you need help with your health, confidence, finances, education, employment or everyday life, there are local services across Plymouth that can help you take the next step.