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The Untold Story

How we make a meaningful difference in other ways

Helping those when they most need it - in big and small ways - move to the end

Disability Support works with marginalised groups in the community to reduce and remove barriers that negatively impact independent living.

Our Welfare Team provides free advice and support on benefits and attends tribunals with our clients; our Community Support Team helps clients find grants, deal with other forms and paperwork, complete HomeLink applications, find activities and support, and more.

We also offer and host a social group every Wednesday and a dementia group every other Friday. A social group is also hosted on Tuesdays in Sneinton.

We have therapy animals that provide support and comfort to many of our clients, and we take them on visits to friendship groups, care homes and schools.

However, much of the work we do is not measured but adds social value in many ways; below are some of the ways we have worked with and supported the community.

They are listed below under the following headings:

  • Work in the Community – Outreach Work

  • Working in partnership

  • Client Feedback

  • Helping those when they most need it - in big and small ways

Client Feedback

Client Feedback on Joseph’s Work

18/11/24

A client said this about Joseph. “This is the guy that has been helping me out for years. If it wasn’t for him, I would not still be here.”

 

Client experience with PIP Claim

18/08/25

One of our advisers received a call from Capita thanking him for the letter he had written to support a vulnerable adult with their PIP claim – this was in addition to filling in the form, as he knew that without it and due to the client's learning difficulties, their assessment outcome could be very different.

 

Client Feedback for Liz and Joe’s Work on an Overturn

01/10/25

“Good morning, Liz, hope you are well - The LA reached out yesterday and said that they have revisited my original application along with the additional paperwork and have decided to overturn the decision… I am absolutely over the moon. ☺️ Thank you so much for your help; I could not have done it without you. Many thanks.”

 

“Joe is a treasure to us and very patient and kind.”

 

Client Feedback on Fixing a Housing and Council Tax Issue

21/11/25

One of my clients this morning informed Tam and me that, thanks to Liz's support, her housing issue and council tax issue have both been resolved, and she now feels like there is a fresh start for her and her children just around the corner. She also informed me that she told her parents to come to us for support with their UC migration, and they had been incredibly grateful for the support as they had no idea where to turn for help. She also let me know she was thankful for my help, as she would not have known she could apply for the mobility component of DLA for her son when he was three and would not have known where to start with any of it without our service.

 

Client Feedback for Louisa’s Advocacy Work

08/12/25

“Hi Louisa,

Thank you for your email and for looking into this for me. I really appreciate it. You have really gone above and beyond for me, calling both Headway and Epilepsy Action for me; thank you. I didn’t expect as much, that they wouldn’t have anything available, but I do think it is heartening to know that FND is something they may be looking into in the future. In all honesty, I am just thankful that they are aware of what it is. Thank you for sharing the online support groups; I have and am checking them out and trying to keep my eye on social media for any updates. If I see anything that I think would be helpful to others, would you like me to share that with you too?

Thank you again for everything, and if I don’t speak to you beforehand, please have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope 2026 brings you everything you want.”

 

Clients Experience Reaching Out to Disability Support

12/12/25

My 11 am client said that they had been calling various places to get support with the appeal they were booked in with me for. They said that when they called the CAB, and the person they spoke to was so rude that they almost gave up on the process, though then they called here. They said Tam was so friendly, helpful, caring and wonderful. My client’s wife said she could have jumped down the phone and kissed her because she was the first person they spoke to who treated them like humans and not like a nuisance. 

 

Client Experience with Sue’s Tribunal Support

17/01/2026

Sue got me from zero to enhanced at tribunal; obviously the money helped, but it was not just that, it was being listened to, believed and validated too.

 

Client Experience Finding and Contacting Disability Support

22/01/26

This client said that she is on a local Facebook Group (Sherwood Community Group) and said the comments and feedback about Disability Support are great, so she wanted to make contact with us to see if we could help. She was really grateful that we contacted her, and an appointment has now been booked for her.

 

Feedback From an Adviser

27/02/26

I would like to share a case that reflects the depth of support our service provides and the impact of timely advocacy.

 

On 19th June 2025, a client attended Disability Support seeking help to complete his Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application. I have known the client since 2016. Although I had not worked with him professionally for approximately four years, I was already aware of his vulnerabilities and long-standing challenges.

 

The client is a vulnerable adult with learning difficulties and multiple health conditions. Due to cognitive limitations, he struggles to articulate his needs, particularly to healthcare professionals, which has resulted in unmet medical support. During his visit, I observed significant concerns regarding his personal hygiene and self-care. His clothing was dirty and torn, and it was clear he was unable to maintain basic daily living tasks such as washing and oral hygiene without prompting.

 

Historically, the client has relied heavily on his parents for encouragement and daily structure. Following their passing, a family friend compassionately supported him by offering light gardening work. This arrangement was less about employment and more about providing structure, meals, and social interaction. Unfortunately, that individual has also passed away, leaving Nigel completely isolated with no support network.

 

A key concern was that the client lacks insight into his own difficulties. When asked directly, he is likely to say he is “fine.” I recognised that without professional advocacy, he would not be able to adequately explain his needs during a PIP assessment.

 

After discussing the case with Charlotte and outlining my concerns, I was granted permission to provide a detailed supporting letter to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The letter outlined my professional observations and the risks associated with the client attending an assessment without advocacy.

 

Following this, I received a call from a DWP manager requesting further clarification. I provided additional professional insight into the client's daily functioning and vulnerabilities.

Today, 27th February 2026, the client contacted our service again for support with a bus pass application. During the conversation, he shared that he has now been awarded PIP and thanked us for our help.

 

 Client Thanks for Disability Supports Help

19/03/26

“I just wanted to say thank you very much for your support & your patience with my anxiety & on occasion sharp tongue. I would like to make a donation towards what you do at Disability Support.”

 

Clients' thanks for Sue’s Benefits Support

March 2026

“Hi Sue,

I cannot thank you enough for your help and support; it meant so much to me. You are a truly amazing human being, full of kindness and understanding, which makes people like me feel able to go forward with appeals when on our own; without you, we probably would not have pursued. Once again, thank you so much. We were thinking of popping down next Thursday to deliver some flowers but would like to give them to you personally, so if you let me know when that would be possible, that would be great. We will also be making a donation to help support your amazing organisation. Again, thank you xx.”

 

A former Client Sharing How Their Life Progression

06/08/26

A man came out to do the annual service of the fire extinguishers – he said he came to us in 2016 for help with a PIP form when he was really in need after serving in the military and struggling with his mental health. He said we really helped him, and now he is in full-time work and only looking forward.

Page 3: Client Feedback
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