Improving Lives Plymouth
Improving Lives Plymouth is a Plymouth-based UK charity operating eight community health and wellbeing service lines — advice, unpaid carer support, sensory impairment, veterans, learning disability, older adults, long-term conditions, and wellbeing — serving 16,000+ residents annually, funded by public-sector commissions, donations, and legacies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1907
- HeadquartersPlymouth, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Improving Lives Plymouth does
Improving Lives Plymouth is a UK-registered charity (Charity No. 1066776; Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2610208) headquartered at Ernest English House in Plymouth, providing community-based health, wellbeing, and social support services to Plymouth residents. The organisation operates eight service lines: Advice Plymouth (free welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, and consumer advice in partnership with Citizens Advice Plymouth), Caring for Carers (unpaid carer support including hospital liaison at Derriford), Sensory Solutions (sight and hearing impairment support, assistive technology, and home visits), Veterans and Family Hub, Better Futures (learning disability and autism support), Active for All (inclusive physical activity), Age Positive (over-65s isolation reduction), and NHS-commissioned Long-term Condition Self-Management courses. The charity serves 16,000+ people annually with 50 paid staff and 80+ volunteers, and operates from two main hubs (city centre and Mannamead) plus outreach at Derriford Hospital, Mount Gould Hospital, and community venues across Plymouth.
The organisation uses no proprietary technology platform. Its technology stack comprises standard tools — Microsoft Office forms for online registration and referrals, Adobe Sign for consent, the third-party Bridgit Care App for digital carer self-help, and integration with the Devon and Cornwall Care Record for healthcare data sharing. Service delivery is overwhelmingly physical and community-based, with a complementary digital layer (Wellbeing Hub directory at wellbeinghub.improvinglives.org.uk) now extending reach.
Revenue is generated from commissioned public-sector contracts (Plymouth City Council and NHS Devon as the two principal funders), individual donations, legacies and bequests, and regulated fundraising activities. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, with no fee-bearing tier or pricing model in place. The customer base comprises individual beneficiaries rather than paying clients; the funder base (Plymouth City Council, NHS Devon) represents the de facto revenue concentration. The organisation has held the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award and is a member of the Fundraising Regulator, COBSEO, and the Citizens Advice partnership network.
Improving Lives Plymouth firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Improving Lives Plymouth
- Legal name
- Improving Lives Plymouth
- Website
- https://improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1907
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Improving Lives Plymouth is a Plymouth-based UK charity operating eight community health and wellbeing service lines — advice, unpaid carer support, sensory impairment, veterans, learning disability, older adults, long-term conditions, and wellbeing — serving 16,000+ residents annually, funded by public-sector commissions, donations, and legacies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Improving Lives Plymouth industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Health and Wellbeing Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Personal Care & ADL Assistance (bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility) (HLADAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Adult Day Respite Programs (Daytime Relief) (HLADAKAC), Respite Adult Day Programs (Short-Term/Drop-In) (HSABANAD)
Keywords
Where Improving Lives Plymouth is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Plymouth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Improving Lives Plymouth business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Charitable Grants and Commissioning: Primary revenue from contracted services with public sector bodies including Plymouth City Council and NHS Devon, providing commissioned services across advice, carers support, veterans services, and disability services.
- Individual Donations: Voluntary contributions from individuals, with a stated aim to support over 16,000 people annually. Donations page explicitly invites contributions with examples of impact (£10 enabling a carer to attend dementia insight workshop).
- Legacies and Bequests: Legacy gifts in Wills mentioned as a valuable and lasting way to support the organization's work. Notes that legacies enabled bringing new premises into use. Registered Charity Number 1066776 provided for Will-making purposes.
- Fundraising Activities: Membership of fundraising regulator with public promise to adhere to best practice in fundraising. Includes complaints process and oversight by Fundraising Regulator.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | All services provided free of charge |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Improving Lives Plymouth product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Improving Lives Plymouth is a Plymouth-based charity delivering free, confidential community services to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing. Its core offering spans advice (welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment), unpaid carers support, sensory impairment assistance, veterans and family services, learning disability support (Better Futures), inclusive physical activity (Active for All), long-term condition self-management courses, wellbeing hub navigation, and over-65 isolation reduction (Age Positive). All services are provided free at the point of delivery to individuals across Plymouth and surrounding areas.
Product overview
Improving Lives Plymouth is a charity providing a portfolio of community health and wellbeing services across Plymouth, not a single software product. The core offering consists of multiple distinct service lines — Advice Plymouth (benefit/debt/housing advice in partnership with Citizens Advice), Caring for Carers (unpaid carer support including hospital liaison, assessments, and a digital app), Sensory Solutions (assistive technology, training, and support for sight/hearing impairment), Veterans and Family Hub, Better Futures (learning disability support), Active for All (inclusive physical activities), Age Positive (over-65 isolation reduction), Long-term Condition Self-Management (NHS-funded self-management courses), and Wellbeing Hub (neighbourhood wellbeing information and referrals). These services share the same organisational infrastructure and referral system but operate as independent programmes funded by NHS, Plymouth City Council, and other commissioners. A Carers Support App (Bridgit Care App) provides a digital self-help layer within the Caring for Carers service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Better Futures: Learning disability support and advice service for adults age 18+ with a learning disability and/or autism.
- Caring for Carers
- Sensory Solutions
- Advice Plymouth
- Veterans and Family Hub
- Age Positive
- Active for All
- Long-term Condition Self-Management
Products and services
- Advice Plymouth Free, confidential drop-in advice service delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice Plymouth, commissioned by Plymouth City Council, providing welfare benefits, debt, housing, homelessness, employment, consumer, and energy/utility advice for adults across Plymouth, with specialist hospital outreach at Derriford and Mount Gould hospitals.
- Caring for Carers Service supporting unpaid carers aged 18+ who look after a partner, family member, or friend with an illness, disability, addiction, or mental health concern, providing information, advice, drop-in/support groups, leisure activities, workshops, training, and a Carers Passport discount scheme, with a Carers Hospital Service providing liaison support following Derriford Hospital admissions.
- Sensory Solutions Service providing information, advice, and equipment for people of all ages with sight or hearing concerns, including a Resource Centre with assistive technology demonstrations and free home trials, Outreach home-visiting services, Insight training courses, Braille tuition, Skills for Seeing (Eccentric Viewing) training, IT support, hearing aid assistance (battery replacement, re-tubing), and Sensory Awareness training for businesses and professionals.
- Veterans and Family Hub Veteran-led drop-in hub for veterans and their families providing social activities, peer support, mentoring, and information/advice on employment, housing, mental wellbeing, unpaid carers support, and welfare benefits, with drop-in sessions Mon-Thu 10:00-13:00 and social groups including Brew and Banter, Bingo, Fish and Chips, Veteran Carers Support Group, and Veterans Men's Shed.
- Better Futures Service for adults aged 18+ with a learning disability and/or autism, providing support, information, and advice on day-to-day issues through a social hub, groups, workshops, and activities, helping individuals develop independence skills, access health and wellbeing support, and find volunteering or work opportunities.
- Active for All Service supporting and promoting physical activity for adults (18+) with disabilities and long-term health conditions, including those with mental health support needs and/or learning disabilities, offering regular community activities such as Boccia, Football, Walking, and quarterly taster session courses.
- Long-term Condition Self-Management (LCSM) NHS-funded self-management programme for adults aged 18+ with any long-term physical or low-level mental health condition, delivered as a four-week course at 156 Mannamead Road, helping participants manage symptoms, build confidence, and improve quality of life through structured sessions on fatigue, activity, nutrition, and communication.
- Age Positive Project supporting people aged over 65 to reduce social isolation and frailty, providing signposting to community social groups, health workshops, exercise sessions, referrals to healthcare services, and bespoke 1-to-1 short-term support to encourage inclusion in city-wide activities.
- Wellbeing Hub Neighbourhood hub connecting local residents to information and activities that support health and wellbeing, providing 1-to-1 advice sessions, helping identify and achieve wellbeing goals, and connecting people to community activities and services across Plymouth.
- Carers Support App (Bridgit Care App) Free digital self-help service (Bridgit Care App) providing personalised guidance, practical information, and local support to carers of all ages, with tailored support plans, wellbeing tips, regular check-ins via email or text, and optional registration to save progress.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supports over 16,000 people annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Improving Lives Plymouth
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Improving Lives Plymouth technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Improving Lives Plymouth partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Citizens Advice PlymouthcoreJoint contract partnership with Citizens Advice Plymouth commissioned by Plymouth City Council to provide Advice Plymouth service across Plymouth, delivering welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer, and utility advice through telephone and face-to-face support.
- Plymouth City CouncilcoreMain commissioning partner for multiple services including Advice Plymouth, Caring for Carers, and other community support services. Collaborates on Plymouth Carers Strategy alongside NHS and other partners.
- Royal British LegioncorePartnership with Royal British Legion supporting the Veterans Men's Shed initiative at Ernest English House. Both organizations work together to support male veterans with project builds, painting, and community support.
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS TrustcoreKey partner in Plymouth Carers Strategy and provider of Carers Hospital Service with liaison workers attending Derriford Hospital weekly. Also hosts specialist advice service for Cystic Fibrosis patients.
- NHS DevoncoreFunder and strategic partner for Long-term Condition Self-Management programme (My Health, My Way). NHS-commissioned service supporting people with long-term physical or mental health conditions to self-manage and improve quality of life.
- Plymouth Argyle Community TrustminorPartnership delivering weekly inclusive football sessions at Nancy Astor Sports Hall, Plymouth University Campus. Sessions run by qualified football coach with all abilities welcome.
- Plymouth Life CentreminorPartnership venue for weekly basketball sessions and boccia activities, providing facilities for Active for All inclusive physical activity programme.
- CarefreeminorPartnership providing short break accommodation for unpaid carers. Carefree offers hotel (1-3 nights) or holiday cottage (7 nights) stays at minimal cost, with referrals facilitated through Caring for Carers.
- J&C HealthcarecoreProvider of Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS) providing specialist short-term emergency home-based cover (up to 72 hours) when unpaid carers have emergencies and cannot provide care.
- WolferstansminorFree legal advice clinics provided in partnership with Wolferstans solicitors, offering legal guidance to carers and service users.
- Devon Digital CarersminorPartnership providing access to Devon Digital Carers platform with free bite-sized Take 20 course (20 modules, 20 minutes each) to develop skills for caring role.
- Carers UKminorPartnership providing access to Carers UK digital tools and essential resources for carers, including digital resource platform and membership benefits.
- Time4U Partnership (Plymouth City Council Community Youth Team and The Children's Society)coreStreamlined service for young carers under 18, combining skills and experience to ensure children, young people, and families benefit from coordinated support.
- Derriford Hospital Audiology DepartmentcoreClose partnership for Hearing Support Visitor scheme providing regular visits to care homes, home visits for new NHS hearing aid users, and community hearing aid clinics.
- Macular SocietyminorSkills for Seeing (Eccentric Viewing) training offered under auspices of Macular Society to help those with sight loss, particularly macular degeneration, use remaining vision more effectively.
- COBSEO (Confederation of Service Charities)coreMembership organization for veterans charities. Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub listed as member, indicating adherence to standards and access to network of veteran support organizations.
- Armed Forces CovenantcoreHub works with local health service partners to help veterans get support entitled under the military covenant. Partnered with Armed Forces Covenant FLAGSHIP programme.
- Devon and Cornwall Care Record (DCCR)coreImproving Lives Plymouth participates in Devon and Cornwall Care Record, a shared system allowing authorized health and care professionals to access up-to-date care information. Organization may view or contribute to records where relevant to services provided.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Improving Lives Plymouth competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID): National hearing-loss charity providing information, equipment and community services that overlap ILP's hearing aid support, hearing clinics and Sensory Solutions hearing-impairment support in Plymouth.
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): National sight-loss charity offering information, equipment, advocacy and community services overlapping ILP's Sensory Solutions Resource Centre and Skills for Seeing (Macular Society-trained) support for blind and partially-sighted residents.
- Citizens Advice Plymouth: Joint contract partner with Improving Lives Plymouth to deliver the Advice Plymouth service under Plymouth City Council commissioning. Provides welfare benefits, debt, housing and employment advice - directly overlapping Advice Plymouth's core functions and operating in the same city.
- Sense UK: National charity supporting people with complex disabilities including learning disabilities and autism, directly comparable to ILP's Better Futures service for adults with learning disability and autism in Plymouth.
- Royal British Legion: National Armed Forces charity partner. ILP partners with the Legion on the Veterans Men's Shed and runs the Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub; both organisations serve veterans and families with overlapping welfare, housing and wellbeing offerings.
- Carers Trust (Heart of England / Plymouth): National network of local carer support charities, including Heart of England covering Plymouth. Directly comparable carer assessments, hospital liaison and break/respite offerings overlapping Caring for Carers.
- Age UK Plymouth & District: Local Age UK affiliate providing services and activities for over-65s in Plymouth. Competes for the same commissioners and the same age-positive beneficiary cohort served by ILP's Age Positive and Wellbeing Hub services.
Others
- Macular Society: National sight-loss charity whose 'Skills for Seeing / Eccentric Viewing' training programme is delivered by ILP's Sensory Solutions service in Plymouth. A direct capability-licensing partner comparable through shared sight-loss service delivery.
Emerging players
- Alzheimer's Society: National dementia charity offering Dementia Friends and carer support intersecting with ILP's older-adult and unpaid-carer services. Comparable in dementia-related respite and family-facing support delivery.
Regional players
- Devon Mind: Devon-based mental health charity (former employer of ILP CEO Rob Smith) providing mental health support across Devon. Comparably serves Plymouth-area residents on low-level mental health conditions overlapping with ILP's Wellbeing Hub and LCSM mental-health programmes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Improving Lives Plymouth social profiles
Digital presenceImproving Lives Plymouth compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Improving Lives Plymouth financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Improving Lives Plymouth leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Improving Lives Plymouth funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Improving Lives Plymouth M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Improving Lives Plymouth
What does Improving Lives Plymouth do?
Improving Lives Plymouth is a Plymouth-based charity delivering free, confidential community services to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing. Its core offering spans advice (welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment), unpaid carers support, sensory impairment assistance, veterans and family services, learning disability support (Better Futures), inclusive physical activity (Active for All), long-term condition self-management courses, wellbeing hub navigation, and over-65 isolation reduction (Age Positive). All services are provided free at the point of delivery to individuals across Plymouth and surrounding areas.
Is Improving Lives Plymouth a public or private company?
Improving Lives Plymouth is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Improving Lives Plymouth founded?
Improving Lives Plymouth was founded in 1907. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Improving Lives Plymouth based?
Improving Lives Plymouth is headquartered in Plymouth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Improving Lives Plymouth make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Charitable Grants and Commissioning is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, legacies and Bequests and fundraising Activities.
Who are Improving Lives Plymouth's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Citizens Advice Plymouth, Sense UK, Royal British Legion, Carers Trust (Heart of England / Plymouth) and Age UK Plymouth & District. Macular Society is listed as an others. Alzheimer's Society is listed as an emerging player. Devon Mind is listed as a regional player.
Does Improving Lives Plymouth have an API?
No public API is recorded for Improving Lives Plymouth.
What industry is Improving Lives Plymouth in?
Improving Lives Plymouth's product category is Community Health and Wellbeing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLADAGAA, Personal Care & ADL Assistance (bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility), with a secondary code of HLADAKAC, Adult Day Respite Programs (Daytime Relief). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.