Our Surrey Shared Lives community come together at RHS Wisley

Members of Ategi’s Surrey Shared Lives recently community came together at the beautiful RHS Garden Wisley.

The event brought together Joe Bavington and Marc Reynolds from Ategi, alongside two people we support who are living in long-term Shared Lives arrangements with their carers. We were also delighted to welcome two prospective Shared Lives carer households who are currently going through the pre-approval process, as well as an existing approved Shared Lives carer.

It was a lovely opportunity for everyone to get to know one another, share experiences and spend some time together in a relaxed and informal setting.

For those considering becoming Shared Lives carers, meeting people who are already part of the community offered a particularly valuable insight into what the arrangement can mean in everyday life. They had the chance to ask questions, hear first-hand experiences from both carers and the people they support, and learn more about the relationships that make Shared Lives so special.

There was also an opportunity to catch up with Joe and talk about how people have found the transition to Ategi, sharing thoughts and experiences as we continue to build our Surrey Shared Lives community.

Although the weather wasn't quite on our side, it didn't dampen the spirit of the day. Everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to meet, chat and relax, with some taking the opportunity to explore the extensive gardens and enjoy a walk around the beautiful surroundings.

One thing that came through clearly was that people would love to get together again. Wisley proved to be a popular choice, with several people suggesting it would make a wonderful venue for another get-together. We're now exploring the possibility of arranging a return visit for the magical Wisley Glow experience.

It's these opportunities to connect, share stories and get to know one another that help make a Shared Lives community what it is – a network of people built on relationships, understanding and a genuine sense of belonging.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon!