Good Causes story

Centre for Independent Living in Kent

After suffering a stroke that affected her mobility, Marian Khamo is now helping more people gain access to funding and support that can make a huge difference to their lives, as project manager of the new mobile service at the Centre for Independent Living in Kent (CILK).

CILK supports people with disabilities throughout the county who are keen to live independently. The centre is now able to reach more people than ever before, following a lottery grant that has paid for a wheelchair-accessible mobile information centre and running costs.

Marian takes the mobile centre out on the road three days a week, stopping at town centres, retail outlets and more rural areas. Leaflets are distributed in advance to let people know the service is coming, and Marian also liaises with community wardens. Anyone is welcome to come on board for a consultation, to gain information and to discuss available support options.

Many of the people who use the service have only recently become physically impaired, and are unused to applying for support. "A lot of them find the mobile centre more approachable than applying directly to local authorities," Marian says.

Each consultation is followed up with a letter and useful information, to help people take the next step. For some, it's as simple as applying for the money to purchase a scooter so they can get out and about on their own. Others may need special bathing equipment, or be interested in accessing support to enter training, education or employment.

"We've had some big success stories," Marian says, "and the numbers have been phenomenal - it's surpassed everybody's hopes."

This year marks The National Lottery's 15th anniversary.

Since it was launched, over 2,300 millionaires have been created and, thanks to lottery players, more than £23 billion raised for Good Causes.