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Bryn’s Shared Lives carers support him to celebrate his individuality and explore his biggest passions in life. Bryn was really interested in learning about his family history and heritage. This clock (owned by his grandfather) is his prize possession. Him and his carers recently got the clock cleaned up and discovered his grandfather had been awarded lots of medals for his bravery in WW2. Bryn was proud as punch to learn this!
Lee’s been supported by Shared Lives carers in Merseyside for a number of years. He loves the opportunity he gets with Shared Lives to be the big personality he is – enjoying karaoke, going away on trips and helping us recruit new carers – whilst having support whenever he needs it.
Lee met his current carers whilst sitting on their carer assessment panel. There was lots of healthy football banter between Evertonian, Lee and Liverpool fans, Chris and Jenny. Lee was delighted to help us approve the couple as carers in 2020 when he was living with another carer in her home. When Lee’s carer tragically passed away later in the year, he was devastated by this news. Chris and Jenny were there to step in and support Lee and he’s been living with them ever since. It was such a difficult time for Lee but Chris and Jenny have made him feel right at home, happy and settled.
We’re so happy to see Lee back to his usual fun-loving and cheeky self – as this comment that he left for Jona from team Shared Lives shows.
Bob who? Jason’s become an absolute pro builder recently, getting stuck in and helping his Shared Lives carers build an extension on his family home in Norfolk. He’s always been a big fan of DIY jobs and this project has really supported him to learn some advanced skills to stick on his CV.
Paul lives with his carers in North Wales and it’s clear to see that these three get on like a house on fire! Since moving in with Paul and Amanda on respite, Paul felt right at home and wanted to move in. So, he did.
Today he loves working in Amanda’s craft shop, walking Seren (the family dog) and having a good old chuckle!
Amanda and Paul support Paul to manage his money, and offer a listening ear when he is feeling anxious. They love the feeling they get from caring and making a difference to his life.
Laura, who’s supported by a Shared Lives carer in Lincolnshire, likes to get creative whilst giving something back too. She makes blankets from recycled crisp packets with her carer, Wendy, to be donated to people who are homeless.
Together they wash and dry out the bags and then stitch them together – binding them with a plastic film to keep them solid and super cosy for people living on the streets. Laura presses the pedal on the sewing machine, whilst Wendy pushes the crisp packet tapestry through – it’s a real team effort. Laura’s ecstatic to be helping people to stay safe and warm on the streets and finds the process really good for her mental health and wellbeing too. What a fantastic thing to do!
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Glyn lives with his Shared Lives carer, Caroline, in North Wales. He loves learning new skills with Caroline’s support and sharing these with the world.
He’s absolutely super-duper at sign language and recently entered a local talent competition, sending in this video of himself signing one of his favourite songs. Glyn was absolutely ecstatic to come second place and get lots of virtual applause! He’s so excited to get back to face-to-face choir practice.
Ray and Gaynor are PSS Shared Lives carers who live in Cheshire. They support three adults with complex needs who live in their family home with them; Carl (aged 44), Helen (aged 50) and Pat (aged 46). Carl, Helen and Pat love their life with their carers, living next to five acres of vast farmland where they can stretch their legs along with horses, geese, pigs, turkeys, sheep and some gorgeous newborn lambs. Carl, Helen and Pat have also been supporting, Molly’s Farm, the family business, providing their local community with delicious veggies.
Mucking in on the farm has not only given these guys a sense of routine and the opportunity to learn new skills, it’s also supported more positive mental health and wellbeing at a particularly challenging time. Their Shared Lives carers have really empowered them to lead an active, fulfilling life on the farm.
Leah is one of our wonderful Shared Lives service experts. Based on her positive experience of Shared Lives she knows exactly what it takes to be a super-duper carer. She supports our team to interview prospective carers and spot people who will really empower someone to live life the way they choose to.
Leah loves volunteering as a service expert and she’s gained so much more confidence as a result. Since sessions were taking place virtually during lockdown Leah was able to learn new digital skills and stay positive and proactive whilst she couldn’t volunteer in her local school as usual. She’s so excited to support other people to find amazing carers like hers and also to make new carers feel at ease about the role.
She asks people questions about things that are important to her. This includes how they would support her if she was feeling homesick. And a big question for Leah is whether they could support her with trying out funky new hairstyles. This is a big part of Leah’s identity and she thinks everyone should get that person-centred care. Leah’s now training other people who use the service to have their voice heard just like her.
It’s never a dull moment for Dean. Whether he’s horse-riding on land or paddle-boarding on the water, he’s having a ball, supported by his Shared Lives carer.
Dean’s carer empowers him to get out there and experience life and, at the end of a busy day braving the elements, she’s there with a warm cuppa for him. Dean lives with his carer and her family, feeling as happy as content in his home as he does adventuring.
Shared Lives carers can offer support full-time or during the day-time only. It’s a self-employed role that fits around your life.
Keith and Martin love a spot of adventure with their Shared Days carer, Rachel. Rachel gives their full-time carers a break and them a change of scenery and lots of happy memories. They enjoyed a day sailing the Norfolk Broads together last week and made time for a spot of pub grub afterwards of course!
