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Frances Leckie

@francesleckie.bsky.social
172 followers 456 following 355 posts

Editor of Independent Living website

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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Buying a mobility scooter can be daunting. A Driving Mobility training scheme aims to help retailers give customers better advice on choosing and using one safely. buff.ly/WscvNmC #MobilityScooter #MobilityAids
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Only 13% of blind and partially sighted people receiving disability benefits say they cover the extra costs of sight loss, new RNIB research finds. buff.ly/WscvNmC #SightLoss #RNIB
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This week's IL newsletter: For people living with chronic fatigue, preparing nutritious food can be difficult. We look at how pea protein powder could offer a simple alternative on low-energy days. buff.ly/WscvNmC #ChronicFatigue #NutritionTips
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Complaints about adult social care have risen by more than a fifth, according to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. buff.ly/WscvNmC #SocialCare #CareComplaints
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Seven discounts, grants and support schemes could help disabled households with rising costs, from broadband savings to home adaptation grants. buff.ly/WscvNmC #DisabilityCommunity #MoneySavingTips
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: NHSBT has issued its first urgent response on organ donation as the transplant waiting list passes 8,700, with nine people dying each week while waiting. buff.ly/WscvNmC #OrganDonation #TransplantWaitingList
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: NHS first-ever urgent response on organ donation #NHS #OrganDonation #ContinuingHealthcare #PowerOfAttorney #IndependentLiving #disabled buff.ly/ASUow1k
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Organ donation – NHS urgent response | Industry News | Independent Living
<p>Organ donation: NHS launches first-ever urgent response Organ Donation Week (21 to 27 September 2026) opened with stark news: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has, for the first time ever, put…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Motability plans to introduce customer “town halls” across the UK from 2027, giving disabled people, families and carers more opportunities to share their views. buff.ly/K1easK7 #Motability #DisabilityCommunity #HaveYourSay
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: A new House of Lords inquiry will examine children's social care and the problems that can prevent children and families getting the support they need. buff.ly/K1easK7 #ChildrensSocialCare #SocialCare #PublicServices
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Propel Dance's biggest tour yet, Momentum, brings seven short pieces celebrating the power and artistry of disability dance to venues across the UK. buff.ly/K1easK7 #DisabilityDance #InclusiveArts #PropelDance
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: A free Closomat webinar on 8 October explores bathroom adaptations and assistive technology for people living with chronic bowel conditions. buff.ly/K1easK7 #ChronicIllness #BathroomAdaptations #DisabilityCommunity
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Professor Annalu Waller OBE explores why closing the digital divide requires more than connectivity, and the role of accessible technology in education and employment. buff.ly/K1easK7 #AssistiveTech #DisabilityCommunity #AccessibleTech
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: An MHRA safety alert highlights deaths and serious injuries linked to falls during hoist transfers, with new guidance on safer use of hoists and slings. buff.ly/K1easK7 #HoistSafety #PatientSafety #DisabilityCommunity
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: Significant new guidance on safe use of hoists and slings following pattern of serious falls #MHRA #PatientSafety #SafeTransfers #Loler #NatPSA #IndependentLiving #disabled buff.ly/iCUix54
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MHRA Safety Alert for Patient Hoists | Advice | Independent Living
<p>MHRA issues national safety alert over risk of death and serious harm from patient hoists The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a National Patient Safety Alert…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: A new report on Scotland's first Disabled People's Cabinet Forum sets out what disabled people told Ministers, what was committed to and where faster progress is needed. buff.ly/n6ESNEo #DPCForum #DisabilityRights #Scotland
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Medpage is discontinuing its seizure movement monitoring range, with warranty support continuing and a new replacement system close to completion. buff.ly/n6ESNEo #SeizureDetection #EpilepsyTech #AssistiveTech
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Three daughters of the late Philip Anderson have completed the London to Brighton cycle ride to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK in his memory. buff.ly/n6ESNEo #InMemoriam #MuscularDystrophyUK #Fundraising
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: The Timms Review is now testing what PIP reform could look like. PIP is expected to remain a non-means-tested cash benefit. buff.ly/n6ESNEo #TimmsReview #PIP #DisabilityBenefits
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: CASCAIDr's latest resources cover NHS Continuing Healthcare and what happens when public bodies fail to follow the legal framework for unpaid carers. buff.ly/n6ESNEo #UnpaidCarers #ContinuingHealthcare #CareLaw
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Eight years after a UN report condemned the impact of UK welfare reform, Mo Stewart asks what has really changed. buff.ly/n6ESNEo #WelfareReform #DisabilityRights #UKPolitics
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: Radical social re-engineering, an observation report by Mo Stewart #WelfareReform #DisabilityRights #ExtremePoverty #HumanRights #UNSpecialRapporteur #PhilipAlston #IndependentLiving #disabled buff.ly/J5JcwOq
independentliving.co.uk
Radical Social Re-engineering | Guest Blog | Independent Living
<p>Mo Stewart’s Observations on Philip Alston’s Report In November 2018, Professor Philip Alston, then the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, visited the UK and concluded that…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: DMUK's Baywatch parking survey has been extended to the end of September. It takes just 3–5 minutes to complete. buff.ly/AAC6hVg #DisabledParking #HaveYourSay
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Heading to Kidz to Adultz Scotland in Glasgow on 15 September? The showguide is now available, with seminars, exhibitors and floor plan. buff.ly/AAC6hVg #KidzToAdultz #DisabilityExpo
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Muscular Dystrophy UK is investing £1.5m in 10 new research projects, taking its current research commitment to more than £10m. buff.ly/AAC6hVg #MuscularDystrophy #RareDisease
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: A free Closomat webinar on 10 September explores neuroaffirming approaches to improving bathroom independence for autistic children and young people. buff.ly/AAC6hVg #Autism #OccupationalTherapy
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: More care at home means we need to ask whether UK homes are actually ready for ageing and increased dependence. buff.ly/AAC6hVg #CareAtHome #AgeingInPlace
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: The UN General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution recognising access to assistive technology as a fundamental right. buff.ly/AAC6hVg #AssistiveTech #DisabilityRights
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: UN adopts first resolution on access to assistive technology #AssistiveTechnology #DisabilityRights #IndependentLiving #GlobalInclusion #UNResolution #IndependentLiving #disabled buff.ly/F0IMSCJ
independentliving.co.uk
Access to assistive technology | Industry News | Independent Living
<p>UN General Assembly adopts landmark resolution on access to assistive technology The United Nations General Assembly has adopted its first ever resolution on access to assistive technology, a move…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Smart and Connected Places – The technology for smarter adult social care already exists. The challenge is connecting systems effectively, as a Scottish Borders retirement home demonstrates. #DigitalSocialCare #SmartTech #Innovation buff.ly/YDgiT1s
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: BMI and health: it's complicated – New research suggests BMI may be a poor guide to health risk in older adults. Waist circumference tells a rather different story. #BMI #HealthyAgeing #MedicalResearch buff.ly/YDgiT1s
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Get a handl on it! – handl's PALM adapter makes soap and lotion pumps easier to operate with your palm, fist or forearm. A neat example of design starting with a real problem. #AssistiveTech #DisabilityAids #Innovation buff.ly/YDgiT1s
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Visually impaired and career ready – Millie Williams is breaking new ground and showing what is possible for disabled young people pursuing their career ambitions. #VisualImpairment #DisabilityInclusion #CareerReady buff.ly/YDgiT1s
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Local Energy Advice Partnership – LEAP provides free practical advice to eligible households on keeping warm and saving money on energy, including home visits. #FuelPoverty #EnergyAdvice #LEAP buff.ly/YDgiT1s
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Antibiotics and C. diff – Antibiotics can disrupt the gut's natural balance, allowing C. diff to multiply. Cases are rising, so here's what you need to know. #CDiff #AntibioticResistance #PublicHealth buff.ly/YDgiT1s
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: Antibiotic overuse behind increase in cases of C. diff #Antibiotics #GutMicrobiome #CDiff #HealthAndWellness #IndependentLiving #IndependentLiving #disabled buff.ly/enkeKyN
independentliving.co.uk
Antibiotics and C. diff | Advice | Independent Living
<p>Antibiotics and C. diff Cases of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) have increased significantly in the last five years, and a lot of the responsibility for this lies with us – or at least those…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Bridging the Gap – Why are people's end-of-life wishes so often unmet? New research points not to a lack of compassion, but to a system that makes acting on it difficult. #EndOfLifeCare #PatientRights #Compassion buff.ly/Ow8flpW
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: More free bus travel, but not yet – From April 2027, disabled bus pass holders in England will finally be entitled to free travel at any time of day, wherever they live. #BusPass #DisabilityTransport #AccessibleTravel buff.ly/Ow8flpW
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Exercise and muscle-boosting molecule – Scientists have identified a molecule that helps muscles adapt to exercise and could lead to treatments for muscle damage in diabetes. #ExerciseScience #MedicalResearch #Diabetes buff.ly/Ow8flpW
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Kidz to Adultz Scotland – The long-running exhibition is expanding for the first time to include disabled adults, adult services and later-life care. #KidzToAdultz #DisabilityScotland #SEND buff.ly/Ow8flpW
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: War pension or state pension? – Mo Stewart lost six years of State Pension after incorrect DWP advice, then learned only 12 months could be backdated. #WarPension #DisabilityRights #DWP buff.ly/Ow8flpW
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Social care lottery – New analysis shows how dramatically access to social care can vary by postcode. Your needs should determine your support, not where you live. #SocialCare #DisabilityCommunity #PostcodeLottery buff.ly/Ow8flpW
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: CSA highlights postcode lottery in social care #AdultSocialCare #CaseyCommission #BigConversationOnCare #CareAndSupportAlliance #PostcodeLottery #IndependentLiving #IndependentLiving #disabled buff.ly/sZav9xb
independentliving.co.uk
Social care lottery | Industry News | Independent Living
<p>Postcode lottery in social care: new research shows huge gaps across England Part of our ongoing coverage of the Casey Commission — see the full timeline. New analysis from the Care and Support…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Help shape future PIP – Want to have a say on the future of PIP? Registration for the workshops closes at 5pm on Friday 21 August, so there isn't much time left. #PIP #WelfareReform #TimmsReview buff.ly/Jg3qscI
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Better than a human hand? – Instead of copying the human hand, researchers radically simplified it. The result is BioFlexBot, a robotic unit capable of movements our hands cannot make. #RoboticHand #AssistiveTech buff.ly/Jg3qscI
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Fatal genetic diseases – A new £50m research centre will investigate how mitochondrial mutations cause disease, with the aim of developing much-needed new treatments. #MitochondrialDisease #RareDisease buff.ly/Jg3qscI
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: New shower stools from TRP – The Ramp People has expanded its shower seating range with folding, swivel and handled options for people who need greater stability and support. #ShowerSafety #MobilityAids #Accessibility buff.ly/Jg3qscI
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Carents and fret lag – Caring for children and ageing parents can make it hard to switch off even on holiday. Psychologist Anjula Mutanda explains how to leave some of the worry behind. #Carents #FretLag #Carers buff.ly/Jg3qscI
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Disability foresight research – DPOs were asked what life might look like for disabled people in 5, 10 and 20 years. Their optimism is intriguing, but does the research design explain it? #DisabilityNews #FutureOfDisability #DisabilityCommunity buff.ly/Jg3qscI
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Ahead of Wednesday's IL newsletter: New foresight research maps three possible futures for disabled people #DisabilityForesight #DisabledPeople #DisabilityRights #AIandDisability #IndependentLiving buff.ly/EBFtHZh
independentliving.co.uk
Disability Foresight Research | Industry News | Independent Living
<p>New Foresight Research Maps Three Possible Futures for Disabled People The Cabinet Office Disability Unit has published new foresight research examining what life could look like for disabled…
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Frances Leckie @francesleckie.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
This week's IL newsletter: Wheelwrights Fund grants – Grants of up to £1,000 are available to people with spinal cord injury towards sports wheelchairs and adaptive equipment. Apply by 31 August. #DisabilityFunding #SpinalCordInjury buff.ly/hR75WeV
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