The transfer of the ILF (Independent Living Fund) to local authorities is due to take place at the end of this month. In the meantime, the ILF, ADASS (the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) and the LGA (Local Government Association) have updated their guidance to local authorities. If you are an ILF recipient, [...]

The longstanding and extremely popular Mobility Roadshow will be returning to Donington Park in Derbyshire from Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 June 2015. The Mobility Roadshow is a really friendly and well-attended event, providing you, your carers and your families with the opportunity to talk to a variety of suppliers and test drive a wide [...]

The new Care Act came into force this month - April 2015. Norman Lamb, the current Minister of State for Care and Support at the Department of Health, is responsible for older people, adult social care, carers, and mental health services, amongst others. Lamb described the new Act as, “the most significant reform of care [...]

Now in its 40th year, the new Disability Rights Handbook (Edition 40) is now available for pre-order from £18 and will be published in April 2015. Its regarded as the number one guide to both disability benefits and independent living. The Handbook provides a clear and concise guide to information on the benefits and independent [...]

We have recently been introduced to the CEA Card – a national scheme set up in 2004 for participating cinemas in the UK - and wanted to help share the word, so that more people can benefit from this offer. You can visit the CEA website here to find out more. The CEA Card allows [...]

You’ll no doubt be aware that we’ve got a general election coming up in May – Thursday 7th to be precise. The polling booths will be open between 7am and 10pm. The likes of bedroom tax, ILF (independent living fund), learning disabilities and welfare cuts, to name just a few, are all regular features in [...]

Our founder Katy Etherington has designed a range of unique Christmas Cards for PA Pool.  Visit the website to find out more and to place your order here. All proceeds from the sale of Katy’s cards go towards helping support the PA Pool website.  Our dedicated online resource for disabled and elderly people recruiting PA [...]

We have been contacted by Ricochet, one of Britain's leading independent television production companies with regards to their new TV series intended to challenge perceptions of disability and care. Are you young, disabled and stuck in a rut? Would finding the right carer broaden your horizons? Do you wish there were more young people like [...]

“I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul." These are words from William Earnest Henley's 1875 Invictus Poem which has become the anthem of the Invictus Games, and Prince Harry wasn’t the only one to be visibly moved on Wednesday evening!  One couldn’t fail to be inspired by the [...]

The personal assistance cafe provides support and information to disabled people, personal assistants and their families and carers. "I know I’m going to have a real conversation in the PA Cafe, not someone patronising me, and that conversation is going to point me in the right direction with the issue at hand." Independent Living Alternatives [...]

On 6 March 2014, the Minister of State for Disabled People announced that the ILF would close on 30 June 2015, to ensure that all social care support is delivered through the mainstream system, rather than two separate systems. This means that, from 1 July 2015, the funding and responsibility of ILF care and support [...]

We are in the process of collating ideas, stories and updates for our Summer Newsletter. If you would like to add anything that you think could be of interest to our members, please drop us an email to admin@papool.co.uk. If you have not yet registered to receive our seasonal newsletters, you can do so here: [...]

This month we’re taking a look at products which could be useful to you either inside or outside of the home. Our thoughts were prompted by the revolutionary soft-wheel wheelchair, reported in The Guardian recently, apparently giving users a smoother ride with built-in shock-absorbers that let you “float as if suspended in mid-air”!  You can [...]

Some months ago now, we were following the story and legal battle surrounding the ILF – the Government backed Independent Living Fund. Now we see that users have launched a fresh legal bid to halt its closure.  Previously thinking that they – the five original campaigners - had won the battle to avoid closure of [...]

We’ve put together these useful tips to help you get the most from your membership with PA Pool: Profile - Make sure your profile is 100% complete to optimise your opportunity to find work or to find a PA/Carer who can meet your needs. Remember to include the shift details you require or your profile [...]

Have your eyes been glued to the TV for the Winter Olympics? We can hardly wait for the Paralympic Winter Games to start, which are due to take place from the 7 to 16 March. There are four sports on the Paralympic Winter Games programme: Alpine Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey, Nordic Skiing and Wheelchair Curling. [...]