Local Offer

Information about services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

Imagine Independence is a charity dedicated to helping people with mental and physical health issues, learning disabilities, including multiple health issues, to live their lives as independently as possible. Imagine Independence offers a range of Peer Support Services including peer mentoring, community based peer groups, peer education and advocacy in Merton.

Our Peer Mentoring services works on a one to one basis with individuals to develop and sustain their wellbeing, self-esteem, confidence and independence. Our peer volunteer mentors are there to share their own journey to inspire hope. Our support includes:

• Motivating and developing confidence
• Travel training and getting to places
• Accessing courses, learning new skills and finding volunteer opportunities
• Finding community opportunities
• Assisting with certain life skills such as finances, healthy living, shopping etc.
• Help with personal issues, worries and building relationships

Our User-led Groups offer a safe space for individuals to socialise and access support. We are constantly empowering members to become involved in the running of their own group.

Our Community-based Peer Groups are successful at helping those who feel they want to access activities in the community with other peers to build confidence. We support peers with similar interests to set up community based groups including:

• Being active e.g. allotments, walking, football
• Learning e.g. reading and cooking
• Connecting socially through activities based on hobbies/interests or social groups

Our Peer Education service offers a range of courses to inspire and help people to develop coping strategies, increase confidence and maintain good mental health. These include:

• Managing stress
• Develop self-management plans and routine plans
• Managing change
• Building social networks
• Work preparation
• Daily living skills
• Managing anger/irritability
• Time management

We support people to have a voice when struggling to deal with issues around housing, benefits applications and accessing statutory and health services. Advocacy is provided through peer mentors or trained advocates for more specialist support.