Improving Lives Plymouth

Building Lasting Change

In addition to the support we offer above, we also host or support projects building a more compassionate, joined-up system, where people can find help without telling their story over and over.

We host

Trauma Informed Plymouth Network

We're part of

Devon Mental Health Alliance

Plymouth Wellbeing Hub Network

Our impact

2024 - 2026 ongoing

20,000+

Individuals supported through challenges or crisis

37,000

Attendances at our activities and support groups

5,500

Carers connected with support

£14.5M

Secured in benefit payments for locals

Why do we exist?

For 120 years, our mission has remained unchanged: to support our community by addressing the financial insecurity, ill health, or isolation that prevents people from living well. As a regional anchor organisation, we also drive system change and service improvements for those we support.

Who do we help?

If you are struggling, we can likely help. While we run projects for carers, older people, veterans, and people living with disabilities, this is not a full list. We also offer a general advice service covering benefits, employment, and consumer issues. If you are unsure whether we cover your specific needs, please get in touch anyway. We are here to guide and support you.

Our history

Founded in March 1907 following a public meeting at the Plymouth Guildhall, the organisation has developed alongside the city through war and austerity. As such, our history of community service is deeply interwoven with Plymouth itself. Read more about our origins here.

Gallery

Two people in black clothing play floor curling in an indoor gymnasium, with one person lunging forward to push a curling stone using a long delivery stick while the other stands close behind offering support. The polished wooden floor is marked with colored lines, and a whiteboard and blue-tinted windows are visible in the background.

Several people gathered around a registration table at a charity event for an organization whose banner reads "Improving Lives, Supporting People" with a charity number partially visible. A young woman behind the table assists attendees, while a seating plan is displayed on an easel to the right. The scene is viewed through a doorway of what appears to be a conference or banquet venue.

A man in a gray blazer and dark shirt speaks into a microphone while addressing a small seated audience at an Improving Lives Plymouth Veterans & Family Hub event. The pull-up banner behind him lists support services for armed forces veterans, their families, serving personnel, and widows. Several audience members, including an older woman in a floral top and a man in a plaid shirt, are visible from behind.

A golden Labrador guide dog wearing a bright yellow Guide Dogs harness and a black head collar sits on blue carpet, looking directly at the camera. In front of the dog is an upside-down yellow spiral-bound book titled "Fingerprint: A braille reading and writing course" published by the Royal National College for the Blind. A person in a floral dress and black boots stands beside the dog.

Two people sit in a darkened room watching a large, curved immersive projection screen displaying a vivid underwater coral reef scene with colorful corals in pink, purple, and green against blue water. One person is silhouetted while seated upright, and another reclines nearby while recording the display on a smartphone.

A person's hand holds a Sight A Clover 5 portable electronic magnifier over a printed text size demonstration sheet showing various magnification levels from 0.8x to 12x. The handheld device has a small screen, yellow plus and minus zoom buttons, and a green power indicator light. The sheet beneath displays sample text at increasing sizes from standard 12pt up to 144pt, with the device positioned over the larger text samples.

A group of six smiling people take a selfie under a red pop-up tent, wearing matching dark gray polo shirts with Improving Lives Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub logos. The woman on the left has a name badge reading Ellie, and a Union Jack banner with soldier silhouettes hangs behind them, suggesting a veterans charity event or outreach stall.

Two people sit at a desk reading Braille documents together. A bald man wearing yellow-tinted glasses smiles while running his hands across a Braille page, while a woman with blonde hair reads from a separate spiral-bound Braille book beside him. The desk is equipped with a computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and desk phone in what appears to be an office or resource center.

A smiling woman wearing a pink hijab, sunglasses, and a flowing black abaya walks across a grassy area. Behind her is a white metal fence with rolling green hills and trees in the background under a clear blue sky. A small statue or ornamental figure is visible near the fence to the right.

A group of approximately ten people sitting in chairs and a wheelchair inside a sports hall, smiling and raising bocce balls in the air. They are lined up against a light blue wall marked with the number 11, with sports equipment stored on a blue shelving unit behind them. The setting appears to be an inclusive bocce or adaptive sports session at a leisure center.

A display wall of assistive telephones and communication devices, featuring multiple corded and cordless phones with large buttons designed for people with hearing or vision impairments, arranged on wooden cubby shelves. Below the shelves, additional cordless handsets sit on a counter alongside a flat-screen TV, remote controls, and various electronic accessories. It is a resource center for assistive technology.

Two women posing together at a formal awards ceremony with colorful green and blue lighting. The woman on the left wears an embellished light blue dress and smiles broadly, while the woman on the right in a dark blazer holds a Devon Chamber award trophy for Collaboration of the Year 2025, awarded to Plymouth Wellbeing Hub Network.

Two people creating art at a table inside a church hall. In the foreground, a woman with gray hair, glasses, and a plastic apron over a purple sweater uses a brush to apply turquoise and blue ink or paint onto a glossy surface, wearing blue nitrile gloves. Behind her, a person with short blue hair works on their own colorful piece, surrounded by cups, bowls of paint, and art supplies.

Two elderly women sitting together and smiling while doing crafts. The woman on the left, with white hair and red glasses, holds pieces of patterned fabric, while the woman on the right, with gray hair and tortoiseshell glasses, holds a handmade fabric butterfly with green pipe-cleaner antennae. Both are wearing dark clothing and appear to be enjoying a social crafting activity.

Three men posing playfully in front of a large sign with arrows reading "THE RE..." (partially obscured), appearing to be outside a horror or escape room attraction. The man on the left wears a white t-shirt, blue cap, and grey shorts while making fists; the man in the center is shorter, bald, and smiling while leaning forward; the man on the right wears a blue polo shirt and black shorts while making claw-like gestures with his hands. The sign behind them features blood splatter graphics and directional arrows. They are attending and escape room.

A group of mostly older women participate in a group exercise or tai chi class in a community hall, following the movements of an instructor wearing a dark outfit and cap in the lower right. The hall features a wooden floor, blue and orange chairs pushed to the sides, a Union Jack flag on the wall, and notice boards along the green and orange painted walls.

A group of approximately 18 people of various ages and ethnicities pose together for a photo on a wet waterfront promenade on an overcast day, with a harbor, historic buildings, and islands visible in the background. One person is seated in a mobility scooter, and the group is dressed in rain jackets and casual outdoor clothing, smiling and making playful gestures. The setting appears to be Plymouth, England, with what looks like the Royal William Yard and Drake's Island in the distance.

Testimonials

“

I did not know what to do with my problems, but here I was sure and confident. I knew they had the power to help me, but they know exactly what to do. They are like a bridge that can take you through the valley of difficulties and problems.
Anonymous | Advice Plymouth

“

As a regular attendee, I find the weekly walks very beneficial to my mental wellbeing. It is a couple of hours of fresh air in all weathers and easy conversations with excellent company. It is an opportunity to engage with fellow carers, who understand the ups and downs of our role in a light-hearted approach.
Anonymous | Caring for Carers

“

I think the service they provide is excellent and absolutely brilliant. They are always there for you when you need help. Everyone there is amazing and I really appreciate everything they do.
Anonymous | Veterans Hub

“

Your service was absolutely fantastic! The gentleman who helped me was exceedingly helpful. He listened to me and gave me as much help and advice as he could. I am very grateful to the people who provide such a fantastic service on a voluntary basis.
Anonymous | Sensory Solutions

“

Very satisfied, excellent engagement and resources used were very well presented. As an 81 year old I found it enlightening and most useful to carry forward. I feel very much in control of what health issues befall me and I enjoy what life imparts.
Anonymous | My Health My Way

“

I would highly recommend being paired with Danny and have seen vast improvements in the quality of my life by working alongside her. Many thanks for all the help. It's honestly been transformative.
Anonymous | Wellbeing Hub

Improving Lives Plymouth

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Unpaid Carers

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Health and Wellbeing

Adults with Learning Disabilities

Armed Forces Community

Building Lasting Change

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Why do we exist?

Who do we help?

Our history

Gallery

Testimonials

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