Trusted Assessing and Care Training (TACT) is pleased to announce the transfer of Living Made Easy and AskSARA from Shaw Trust, securing the long-term future of these trusted online information and advice services.
Following a comprehensive strategic review by Shaw Trust, responsibility for Living Made Easy and AskSARA and related services has transferred to TACT.
TACT is a UK-wide Occupational Therapy practice and a leading provider of accredited training, qualifications, consultancy and assessment services in independent living, Trusted Assessment and home adaptations. The TACT leadership team has extensive experience of developing and managing Living Made Easy and AskSARA and is committed to maintaining their quality, independence and clinical integrity while developing the services for the future.
The transfer will ensure the continued availability of these free, impartial resources, which support thousands of older and disabled people, families, carers and professionals each year.
Clare Barber, Founder and Occupational Therapist at TACT, said:
“We are delighted to be taking forward Living Made Easy and AskSARA and to be entrusted with their future. These are important resources that help people make informed choices about equipment, technology and adaptations that can make everyday life easier and support independence.
“Our priority is to maintain the qualities that have made these services so valued: impartiality, independence, accessibility and clinically informed information and advice. The services will continue to be free to use, with no commercial influence over the advice provided.
“TACT brings extensive clinical experience and strong relationships across occupational therapy, health and social care, housing and the equipment sector. This puts us in a strong position to keep information current, accurate and relevant, while ensuring that recommendations remain grounded in clinical best practice.
“We also have ambitious plans for the future. We intend to reintroduce ProAssist as a comprehensive resource for professional assessors and prescribers, alongside redeveloping and expanding the well-known AskSARA advice topics to support both professionals and the public.
“We see this transfer as an opportunity not simply to preserve these nationally recognised services, but to build on their strengths and develop them to meet the changing needs of people seeking information, advice and support to live independently.”
Julie Cable, Head of Health and Wellbeing Commercial Services at Shaw Trust, said:
“We are pleased that TACT will be taking AskSARA forward so it can continue to help thousands of people, their families and carers access the guidance they need to live safely and independently at home.”
Continuing a trusted legacy
Living Made Easy and before it DLF’s Hamilton Index have a long history of providing independent information about products, equipment and technologies that can support people with everyday activities and independent living.
AskSARA complements this information by providing an accessible self-assessment tool. By answering questions about everyday activities and challenges, users can identify potential solutions and obtain practical OT-authored advice to discuss with family members, carers or professionals.
Together, the services support a person-centred approach in which people can access reliable information at an early stage, helping them explore possible solutions and, where appropriate, seek further assessment or professional support.
TACT is committed to ensuring that both services continue to provide free, impartial and clinically informed information, with clear separation between independent advice and commercial interests.
Developing the services for the future
Under TACT’s ownership, Living Made Easy and AskSARA will continue to evolve in response to the needs of the people and professionals who use them.
Plans include:
- maintaining and regularly updating information about equipment, technology and solutions for independent living;
- continuing to develop AskSARA as an accessible self-assessment resource;
- reintroducing ProAssist to provide enhanced support for professional assessors and prescribers;
- strengthening links between independent information, self-assessment and professional Trusted Assessment; and
- working with Occupational Therapists (OTs), health and social care professionals, housing providers, suppliers and other sector partners to ensure information remains accurate, relevant and evidence-informed.
The transfer represents an important new chapter for Living Made Easy and AskSARA, building on their long-standing reputation while bringing them into an organisation with specialist clinical expertise and a strong commitment to independent living.
About Trusted Assessing and Care Training
Trusted Assessing and Care Training (TACT) was founded in 2022 and is a leading national provider of training, consultancy and assessment programmes specialising in equipment, independent living and home adaptations.
TACT is an accredited provider of Trusted Assessor training and national qualifications, with programmes covering Levels 2, 3 and 4. Its wider Trusted Assessor services include licensing programmes that enable larger organisations with their own Occupational Therapists to deliver accredited training, as well as OT-led supervision and support for Trusted Assessors working in services without easy access to an in-house OT.
TACT also provides a range of free professional resources, including the Competency Framework for Trusted Assessors, case studies, analysis, reports and guidance on implementing Trusted Assessor programmes.
The organisation has strong connections across health, social care, housing and the independent living equipment sector. Its strategic partners and sector relationships include the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), Homecare Association, Housing LIN, Foundations, National Care Forum and the National Association of Equipment Providers (NAEP).
TACT’s work is led by practising Occupational Therapists and is underpinned by a commitment to person-centred practice, clinical expertise and evidence-informed decision-making.
For further information
Janet Seward
Living Made Easy & AskSARA Programme Manager
Trusted Assessing and Care Training (TACT)
Email: info@trustedassessing.com
Tel: 01626 879528