Image & Video Gallery

We recently asked some of the people we support to share what our values mean to them.

When we asked Cathy about inclusion, she gave us a response that made the whole team smile - and reminded us why this value matters so much.

Cathy shared how important it is to her to live in a place where she feels safe, accepted and able to be herself as a gay person. She spoke about the kindness of the people around her, the supportive environment, and how being part of an inclusive community has helped her feel proud of who she is.

In a world where there can still be so much negativity, creating spaces where people feel valued, respected and welcome makes a real difference.

Thank you, Cathy, for sharing your story with us. ❤️

#PrideMonth #Inclusion #LGBTQIA+ #ISLValues

1

In this client journey, Zoe from one of our Leeds services shares her experience of supported living and the progress she has made towards greater independence.

Zoe joined ISL to develop the skills and confidence needed to eventually move on to a step-down service, with the long-term goal of living independently with outreach support. She speaks warmly about the support she receives from the team and how comfortable and familiar ISL has become for her.

Throughout the interview, Zoe talks openly about living with anxiety and the challenges she can face when going out in public. She explains how staff support her through these moments by helping her talk things through, stay calm, and understand the root of what she’s feeling.

Zoe also shares how important it is for her to stay involved in activities and the community while managing epilepsy. She says the team are always understanding and work hard to make activities accessible and enjoyable for her, finding ways to adapt things when needed.

At ISL, we’re proud to support individuals to build confidence, develop independence, and work towards their personal goals at their own pace.

#MentalHealthRecovery #SupportedLiving #Independence #MentalHealthSupport #RecoveryJourney #SocialCare #ISL

0

For Mental Health Awareness Week, we are sharing an audio interview recorded at our Leeds Rathmell service.

In this conversation, EMA speaks openly with Service Manager Dave about living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), her mental health journey, and the support that has helped her rebuild confidence and stability in her life.

After experiencing a mental health breakdown in 2017, EMA spent time receiving inpatient support before eventually moving into ISL Supported Living, where she was able to begin living more independently again with support in the community.

Throughout the interview, EMA reflects positively on the balance of support and independence she now has at ISL, explaining how support workers have helped her with self-care, managing intrusive thoughts, daily living tasks and building confidence to engage more in the community.

She also speaks warmly about feeling more comfortable in herself, improving her self-esteem and forming friendships within the service.

The interview ends with a simple but powerful message for anybody struggling with their mental health:

“Seek out the help.”

We are incredibly grateful to EMA for sharing her experiences so honestly to help raise awareness, challenge stigma and encourage others to reach out for support when they need it.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MentalHealthAwareness #DIDAwareness #EndTheStigma #SupportedLiving #MentalHealthMatters

0

For Deaf Awareness Week, Alisha shares her lived experience of being deaf after contracting meningitis as a child.

In this video, Alisha talks about:

* Living with hearing loss
* Using hearing aids and assistive technology
* The impact bullying had on her mental health
* Common misunderstandings deaf people face
* Why shouting is not helpful
* How lip reading and sign language require focus and concentration

Alisha hopes that by sharing her story, more people will better understand the realities of living with hearing loss and the importance of patience, accessibility, and inclusion.

Thank you, Alisha, for sharing your story 💙

#DeafAwarenessWeek #DeafAwareness #Accessibility #inclusionmatters #inclusion #mentalhealth #mentalhealthsupport

0

Meet Hayley, one of our lovely clients at our Alsager Supported Living.

Hayley speaks about her journey to ISL, how she finds living in her service, and offers some beautiful advice to others struggling with their mental health. "It does get better!"

Are you interested in working with clients like Hayley to make a real difference in a mental health support setting?

Take a look at our latest vacancies: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

1

Simon’s journey is one of resilience, progress and hope.

Originally from Hull, Simon moved into ISL’s Leeds supported living service and, after making remarkable progress, has recently transitioned into a Step Down service - a significant step towards greater independence.

Now celebrating one year of sobriety, Simon speaks candidly about his lifelong struggle with amphetamine addiction, the challenges he faced, and how the right support helped him rebuild his life. He also shares powerful advice for anyone currently experiencing addiction, offering encouragement that change is possible.

Known for his humour and positivity, Simon is always eager to get involved in activities across our Leeds services, bringing laughter wherever he goes. His personality shines throughout this video - especially when he reminds us that:

"Being a practical joker is one of the happiest times in my life."

Watch Simon’s inspiring story and see how far he’s come.

Looking to really make a difference working with clients like Simon? Take a look at our latest roles here: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

0

Meet Ty and Luke, our brilliant twins from Middlewich 👬

This pair are an incredibly funny duo who never fail to bring a smile to your face. In this video, Ty and Luke chat about the support they receive at ISL, sharing how it helps them day to day and builds their confidence and independence.

They also talk through some practical, real-life scenarios – including what it might be like to work as a support worker themselves… with a very Ty and Luke answer thrown in for good measure!

Sit back, enjoy the laughs, and hear their story in their own words.

Looking to really make a difference working with clients like Ty and Luke? Take a look at our latest vacancies here: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

0

Our Middlewich client Adam decided to build his very own Tiki Bar from scratch in his garden - despite never having done woodwork before!

From the sturdy wooden build to the brilliant neon Tiki sign, this project shows just how powerful it can be to step outside your comfort zone. Adam talks us through his process so far - and next up is a straw-style Tiki roof 🌴

We’re so proud of the confidence, creativity and determination he’s shown on this project and look forward to sharing the finished bar soon!

#tikibar #homebar #newskills #woodworking #building

0

Coach Sean popped into our Crewe Service to chat all things New Year’s resolutions with Susie, one of our brilliant clients, alongside Emma, Deputy Service Manager.

Susie shared her goal to quit smoking in the New Year - a decision she’s making to protect her health after losing her partner to a smoking-related illness.

As always, there were plenty of laughs along the way (including Susie’s suggestion for Sean’s own resolution… 😂), but the conversation came back to what really works: small, manageable changes.

Together, they agreed that reducing gradually, week by week, feels like the most realistic and supportive plan - and Coach Sean will be back in the New Year to check in and see how both Susie and Emma are getting on.

We’re wishing Susie all the very best on her journey and can’t wait to see the progress ahead 💪✨

#NewYearsResolutions #SmallSteps #CreweService #SupportMatters #HealthGoals

0

In this colleague journey, we hear from Morgan, who at the time of filming was the Service Manager of our Middlewich services and has since progressed to managing our Burton-on-Trent and Stoke services.

Morgan’s path into social care has been varied and inspiring. Before joining ISL, he worked as a lifeguard for seven years before studying Clinical and Health Psychology at Bangor University. Wanting to gain hands-on experience after graduating, Morgan briefly worked in domiciliary care before finding his place within supported living at ISL.

Starting as a Support Worker across our Middlewich and Crewe services, Morgan quickly progressed into a Deputy Manager role within one of our forensic services before stepping into an Acting Service Manager position just months later.

Throughout the interview, Morgan speaks about the realities of working within mental health supported living, including the importance of communication, resilience, leadership, and remaining calm under pressure.

During filming, an incident occurred involving a client experiencing a schizophrenic episode. The situation was safely managed with support from the police, who were able to help de-escalate the situation as the client felt most comfortable communicating with them at the time. Thankfully, no one was harmed and the client is now doing well. We chose to include a small part of this in the video as it reflects the real-life challenges that can sometimes arise within mental health services and the importance of teamwork, professionalism, and person-centred support.

Alongside the day-to-day challenges, Morgan also shares what he enjoys most about the role and the skills he believes are important for anyone considering a career in management within social care.

At ISL, we’re proud to support colleagues to grow, progress, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day. If you'd like to explore our roles, take a look at our website: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

#SocialCare #MentalHealthSupport #SupportedLiving #Leadership #CareersInCare #MentalHealthRecovery #ISL

0

In this colleague journey, we hear from Nicole, a Support Worker across our Morley and Leeds Supported Living services at Independence Support, as she shares her experience of working in social care.

Before joining ISL, Nicole worked in retail from the age of 16, where she developed a range of valuable skills including communication, teamwork, and customer service. She talks about how these skills have supported her transition into a career in care and helped her build strong relationships with the people she supports.

Nicole shares what she enjoys most about her role, highlighting the variety each day brings. Alongside important responsibilities such as completing My Star assessments, support plans, and risk assessments, she also values the more enjoyable aspects of the job—spending meaningful time with clients, going on day trips, and supporting individuals to access the community, including visits to places like bookshops and local activities.

For Nicole, the balance between structured, person-centred work and fun, engaging activities is what makes the role so rewarding.

💙 At ISL, we’re proud to support our colleagues to grow in their roles while making a real difference in people’s lives every day.

Find out more about careers at ISL:
🌐 https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/
📱 Subscribe for more colleague journeys and opportunities

#CareersInCare #SupportWorker #MentalHealthSupport #SocialCareJobs #SupportedLiving #ISL #CareerInCare

0

In this colleague journey, we hear from Megan, Service Manager at our Leeds Chapel and Morley Supported Living services, as she shares her inspiring career progression with Independence Support.

After completing a degree in Psychology and coming from a retail background, Megan joined ISL as a Support Worker. Through dedication, passion, and a commitment to making a difference, she progressed to Deputy Manager and is now a Dual Service Manager overseeing two services.

Megan talks about what a typical day looks like in her role, highlighting how no two days are ever the same. She shares how fulfilling and varied the work is, and why she’s so passionate about supporting both clients and colleagues.

For those considering a career in management, Megan offers honest and valuable insight. She explains that stepping into a management role means becoming more operationally focused—ensuring services run smoothly, supporting teams, and overseeing the bigger picture. While there’s still time spent with clients, the role shifts towards leadership, coordination, and making sure everything is in the right place for both staff and the people we support.

💙 At ISL, we’re proud to support career progression and create opportunities for our colleagues to grow and thrive.

Interested in joining our team?
🌐 https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/
📱 Subscribe for more colleague stories and opportunities

#CareersInCare #MentalHealthSupport #LeadershipJourney #SupportedLiving #ISL #CareerProgression #SocialCareCareers

0

In this inspiring client journey, we meet Jade from our Morley Supported Living service, who shares her powerful story of recovery, resilience, and hope.

After spending six years in hospital, Jade talks openly about her journey to Independence Support and what life looks like today. From rediscovering her independence to enjoying her passions for arts, crafts, and writing poetry, Jade’s story is a testament to what can be achieved with the right support and determination.

Jade is not only creative but also a kind and supportive presence within her service – a valued member of the ISL community.

She leaves us with a powerful message for anyone currently struggling with their mental health:

"When I was in hospital, I didn’t see there being any light at the end of the tunnel. I didn’t think I’d ever be in the position to live independently. I just want to let people know that it is possible and it is doable. It takes a lot of hard work, but you can get there."

💙 At ISL, we believe in empowering individuals to live fulfilling, independent lives. If you would like to work with clients like Jade, take a look at our current vacancies: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

0

After serving 12 years in the Army, Saul discovered a new passion during his transition to civilian life — mental health support.

Starting as a Bank Support Worker, Saul joined Independence Support (ISL) determined to use both his lived experience and professional background to make a difference. Just 18 months later, he is now Deputy Service Manager at our Middlewich Supported Living services.

In this video, Saul shares his journey, what inspired him to move into mental health, and why supporting people to improve their mental and physical wellbeing means so much to him.

At ISL, we believe in growing our own leaders and creating real career progression opportunities in supported living and mental health services.

If you’re looking for a rewarding career in mental health support, take a look at our current vacancies here: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

Mental health careers, supported living jobs, deputy service manager, career progression in care, army to civilian career, ADHD awareness, mental health support worker, UK care jobs

0

Ellie joined ISL after studying mental health at university, an opportunity she saw to gain more first hand experience, and putting her skills to good use.

Watch as Ellie talks about her day to day as a Support Worker at our Crewe Service and what she enjoys most!

Looking to really make a difference in a fulfilling new role? Take a look at our latest vacancies here: https://www.isl-org.uk/our-people/work-for-us/

Song: Peaceful Corporate by Stock-Waves
Music provided by https://protunes.net
Video Link: https://bit.ly/41O2NAT

0

In this inspiring client story, Jamie shares how taking up boxing has helped him build confidence, routine, and focus — with the support of his support worker, Mo. 🥊

Together, they’ve shown how finding the right activity and encouragement can make a huge difference to someone’s wellbeing and independence.

Watch as Jamie and Mo talk about their journey, the progress Jamie has made, and how their shared passion for boxing has motivated them both.

💪 Keywords: support worker, mental health support, client journey, personal growth, confidence building, boxing motivation, supported living, empowerment, wellbeing, community support.

0

Meet Mo – our incredible Service Manager at Chester!
After starting out in Rapid Response, Mo joined the Chester team to work more closely with clients on their recovery journeys. His passion and creativity shine through in everything he does – from introducing boxing sessions that are helping clients grow stronger physically and mentally, to stepping into the ring himself earlier this year and raising over £1,000 for our charity partner, Live Cheshire.

Mo brings energy, dedication and joy to the team every day – and we’re so proud to have him leading the way 👏💙

#TeamISL #RecoveryJourney #BoxingForWellbeing #CharityChampion

0

When someone is in mental health crisis, every moment matters. Our Rapid Response workers are there to make sure patients feel safe, supported and cared for while waiting for the next step in their journey.

From offering a reassuring presence in A&E, to supporting staff on acute wards, and escorting patients safely between hospital and various mental health establishments.

This reel shows a glimpse of what it means to stand alongside someone in their most vulnerable moments.

#MentalHealthMatters #RapidResponse #HereForYou #NHS #MentalHealthSupport #MentalHealth #MentalHealthCrisis #Support #IndependenceSupport

0