About Living Options Devon
We offer a range of help and support services for people with a long term health condition, disability and / or who are Deaf, where British Sign Language is their first language.

Humble Beginnings
Solid Foundations
Living Options Devon has significantly grown from its humble beginnings. The charity began with just one employee and Peter as a volunteer, to now encompass a wide range of support services for disabled people, people with a long term health condition, and members of the Deaf Community across the south west.

“I’m sure the organisation is more than capable of going on to bigger and better things. We’ve got a lot of good staff, a high quality team and I’m sure they will take it to another level. I’m only pleased that I’ve been able to play a small part in that”.
Peter Swain Founder of Living Options Devon


Thirty Years
The charity continues Peter’s legacy striving to improve the service provision for disabled people in the community.
Peter’s research in the early 1980s, along with that of those he volunteered with, centered around the extra provision for disabled people and what was available at that time by the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Thirty years on we pride ourselves on still championing the needs and rights of disabled people and members of the Deaf Community (who use British Sign Language (BSL)).
User Led and Disability Confident
Being led and run by disabled and Deaf people helps us understand the issues facing disabled and Deaf people. We have established trust and credibility within the community, and have a strong commitment to partnership working, particularly through joining up with other charities to provide better services for disabled people. Find out more in our Strategic Overview
Being led and run by disabled and Deaf people helps us understand the issues facing disabled and Deaf people. We have established trust and credibility within the community, and have a strong commitment to partnership working, particularly through joining up with other charities to provide better services for disabled people.
Find out more in our Strategic Overview.
Exciting Future
Providing that extra service provision that Peter outlined in the very beginning remains our focus today. We offer services, information, and advice that give disabled people and members of the Deaf Community the skills and support they require to overcome barriers such as:
- discrimination
- access issues
- social isolation
- communication barriers
- lack of opportunities
We empower them to live the lives they want; to enjoy independence; gain employment; to know their rights and to find the courage to voice those rights and with your support will continue to do so.

Our Impact

We engaged and supported 12041 people with disabilities and / or Deaf British Sign Language users, we delivered disability and Deaf awareness training to 241 people and formed thirteen part
Why Accessibility Matters – Our products, solutions, and training
We are your local user-led Disability Confident Leader, which means we encourage and support other businesses to become an inclusive, disability, and Deaf-friendly business. We do this through the delivery of quality training, services, and products, designed and delivered by people with lived experience of disability.

Our Funders and Partners

It is thanks to the generous support of our funders and partners that our teams are able to deliver our range of support services.
We work with a range of organisations who specialise in particular areas to deliver the support, information, and advice that you need. We are funded both regionally and nationally. To find out more visit our dedicated funders and partners section on our website.
Get Involved
There are many ways you can get involved with our charity whether it is coming along to one of our events, or volunteering to help us deliver our services.
Why not become a trustee or host a fundraiser for us?
Find out more on the get involved section of our website.

Phonic FM – Accessibility Matters

Our Radio Show ‘Accessibility Matters aired each month last year and covered information on our support services and hot topics and raising awareness of the things that matter to our service users.
It is a great source of information on our charity and what we do, it also has some lovely interviews, stories, and uplifting beats.
Our Support Services
Time To Talk
Our free, confidential listening support and advice helpline, for those with a disability, long term health condition or Deaf people who use BSL.
Learn moreThe Hub
Your first point of contact with Living Options Devon, our friendly Hub team connects you to the support services, advice, and information that you need.
Learn moreDeaf Led Services
As British Sign Language users and members of the Deaf Community, the Deaf Led team know first-hand the issues faced by Deaf people and the best advice and support to give to overcome these.
Learn moreDevon Disability Network (DDN)
Enabling disabled and Deaf people to campaign and be involved in developing the support services they need.
Learn moreCountryside Mobility
Providing easy access to the countryside for anyone who has difficulty walking, through an off road mobility scooter hire scheme
Explore the South West with freedom and ease.
Deaf Get Active and Volunteer
Get Active with us or support others to get into sport through volunteering.
Learn moreCounselling Service
6 free sessions of accessible counselling to people with a disability and members of the Deaf community (British Sign Language Users) across Devon.
Learn moreSee Hear Centre
Our North Devon hub supporting you with information, advice and equipment for sight and hearing loss.
Learn moreHeritage Ability
Our team works with heritage sites across the south west supporting them in improving the customer experience for disabled people and Deaf people who use British Sigh Language
Learn moreOur News
The See Hear Centre is on the move this Spring
Local charity service which offers free support to people with sight and hearing loss, has to vacate its premises in Barnstaple before the end of March.
Read the news postGovernment recruiting Disability and Access Ambassadors
The Cabinet Office has announced it is recruiting fourteen new Disability and Access Ambassadors. These ambassadors will help ensure businesses are doing all they can to support their disabled customers.
Read the news postOur Latest News and Update
2020 has certainly been a year to remember. As it draws to a close we provide some respite from the restrictions and confusion, with this news update on exciting new service offerings, and our plans for the future.
Read the news postNew guides will help re-open Torbay’s natural attractions
Living Options has been working in partnership with UNESCO Global Geopark to create a number of Visual Guides that will provide the information people need in advance of visiting.
Read the news postDisability History Month
“Access doesn’t just mean physical access, it’s so much more than that.”
Read the news postCelebrating Thirty Years
This autumn and into next year we are delighted to be marking our landmark birthday, reflecting on our achievements so […]
Read the news post