Home is where the heart is and where comfort and security lie. This philosophy is central to the We Are vulnerAble campaign which has been launched to empower thousands of people with additional needs to live independently and safely in their own homes.
The powerful visual campaign aims to inform and educate individuals in vulnerable situations that there is support available so they can live more independently and safely at home. It also aims to reassure carers that independence can be possible and how to achieve it.
Independence
At the heart of We Are vulnerAble is an accessible hub packed with the practical information to break down barriers and enable independent living at home for more people. By telling the stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds, all who have lived experience, the hub illustrates that independent living at home can happen with the help of proper guidance and support.
The accessible, easy-to-navigate platform includes a wealth of checklists, how-to guides from trusted partners, and resources such as the Priority Services Register (PSR). The PSR is free and offers people with additional communication, access or safety needs help and support if something goes wrong with their utility services.
Dom Hyams, Head of Strategy at Purple Goat, says: “For so many people, practical information to aid independence and support in the home environment is difficult to find. The We Are vulnerAble hub is a unique, empowering offering packed with insights, tips and resources for those with additional needs and packages them up on an extremely digestible platform. I can’t wait to see how it grows and how the community unfolds. This information isn’t for ‘other’ people, but it’s helpful for everyone to understand and ensure we’re removing barriers and creating equal opportunities.”
Communities
Phil Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability Delivery at Cadent, adds: “As the largest distribution network in Great Britain, we are committed to providing help and support to all our customers across our communities. It’s often difficult for people to know where to go for assistance, which is why the We Are vulnerAble hub is such a vital collaboration and partnership. It sounds simple but being able to access all the information you need in one place can put minds at rest and open up a new world of independent living. The portal will contain information about signing up for the PSR, and we encourage all our eligible customers to do this, so we can give them the right help when they need it most.”
Paralympic swimmer and quadruple amputee Helen Dolphin MBE was also involved in the campaign.
“Until I took part in this campaign, I had absolutely no idea there was such a thing as the PSR,” reveals Helen. “Since becoming disabled in my early 20s I’ve done everything I can to be as independent as possible, and I’ve always shied away from signing up for things which made me feel more disabled. However, this register is just there to make you feel a little bit more secure and actually less vulnerable on the odd occasion that you do lose your power or another essential service. This is why I’m now signed up and encouraging others to do the same.”
Now, people can help spread the message of the We Are vulnerAble campaign by following the #WeAreAble hashtag on social media and sharing stories; signing up for the newsletter; sharing the tips promoted through the campaign; getting in touch to share your own story which could then be featured on the hub.
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