About Empower
We understand. We’ve been there too.
Empower is a local, not-for-profit organisation supporting disabled people, older people and their families with Direct Payments.
Our team brings professional knowledge and personal experience of arranging support. We know there can be a lot to work out, and we believe people deserve clear advice, practical help and a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
Our storySupport shaped by lived experience
“Everyone deserves support that fits around their life, not the other way round.”
Empower began with a shared frustration and a shared hope. We’d seen how difficult it could be for people to arrange personalised care and support, and we’d also seen how life changing it can be when it’s done well.
Together, our team brings over 40 years’ experience across social care, employment, advocacy and housing. Every member of our staff and Board has lived experience of navigating care and support, either for themselves or for people they love. We know how confusing the system can feel because we’ve worked through the questions, the paperwork and the tough decisions too.
We’re not a care agency. Our role is to help you explore what’s available, understand your responsibilities and choose support that feels right for you. Wherever possible, we meet face to face, take time to get to know you and work through your questions together.
We believe you should have a real say in how your care and support is arranged. That means respecting your choices, protecting your dignity and understanding the people, places and activities that matter most to you.
Our mission is simple: to make Direct Payments clearer, more accessible and truly empowering, so you can focus on living the life you choose.
Our valuesWhat you can expect from us
Our values describe how we work with you, our colleagues and the organisations we work alongside.
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Make it personal
Every person, situation and journey is different. We take time to understand yours and what matters to you, adapting our advice and support to your circumstances, culture, preferences and routines.
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Listen first
Our personal experience helps us understand the challenges of arranging support. We listen without judgement and give you time to explain, without assuming we know what’s right for you.
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Make time to help
We welcome questions and respond promptly. We work through your concerns with you, agree what happens next and keep you informed if something needs checking.
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Make things easier
We explain things clearly and help you put advice into practice. From exploring your options to completing paperwork, we work through the details so you know what needs doing.
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Work together
We work with you and the people you want involved. We bring together families, PAs, councils and local organisations where their help or knowledge can be useful, making sure decisions about your support stay with you.
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Keep improving
We ask what’s working and what could be better, then act on what we learn. We explore new ideas and technology where they can make arranging support easier or give people more choice and independence.
Our partnershipsWorking together in Barking and Dagenham
We’re proud to work with Barking and Dagenham Adult Social Care, helping residents use Direct Payments to arrange support that reflects their needs and how they want to live.
We also work with local organisations, community groups and employers to help more people become PAs and create opportunities for local work. Bringing residents, families, PAs and professionals together helps us understand what is needed and find practical ways to respond.
Building more local partnerships
As Empower grows, we’re looking to build partnerships with councils across London and the South East, taking the same local, personal approach to each area.
Direct Payment advice and guidance
PA recruitment and employment support
Working with local groups and employers