Meet our Shared Lives champions in Central Bedfordshire: Dean and Clare

At Ategi, we are thrilled to introduce two amazing individuals, Dean and Clare, who have taken on the role of Shared Lives Champions in Central Bedfordshire. Shared Lives is all about creating supportive, family-like arrangements for people who need a bit of extra help to live independently, and Dean and Clare are passionate about spreading the word and encouraging more people to get involved as Shared Lives carers. 

What is a Shared Lives Champion? 

Shared Lives Champions are people who have experienced the benefits of Shared Lives firsthand as people we support. They work with Ategi to raise awareness about Shared Lives, promote it within the community, and recruit new Shared Lives carers. These roles offer a fantastic opportunity for personal growth, skill development, and making a difference in others' lives. 

We recently sat down with Dean and Clare to learn more about their experiences with Shared Lives and their new roles as champions. Their enthusiasm, insights, and dedication to the program shine through in their own words. 

Meet Dean 

Dean joined the Shared Lives Champions team to help others understand the transformative impact of Shared Lives. He’s already hit the ground running, working with Ategi staff to distribute leaflets, put up posters, and research new opportunities to promote the program. 

“My role as a champion has given me the opportunity to help promote Shared Lives and maybe, in the future, even build a few events,” Dean shared. He has been actively visiting locations like gyms, libraries, charity shops, and noticeboards in the community to spread the word. 

Dean is also using this role to build new skills. “What I’d like to improve is working better on the computer, like researching events or managing emails,” he said. With support from Ategi, he’s developing these skills and gaining confidence in his ability to connect with others. 

For Dean, the role is personal. “Because of my disabilities, it gives me a different insight to help people with disabilities as well. People with autism, ADHD, or other challenges,” he explained. His empathy and drive to make a difference are inspiring. 

Meet Clare 

Claire’s perspective on Shared Lives is deeply heartfelt. When asked how she describes Shared Lives to others, she said: “Shared Lives is basically like a second family. It feels like housemates and a second family—like you’re in a big kind of dream house.” 

She paints a vivid picture of what Shared Lives can mean to someone: “Shared Lives is like your fairy godmother, waving a magic wand,” she said. This sense of belonging and support has made a profound impact on her life. 

Claire is passionate about encouraging others to approach Shared Lives with an open mind. “Take your time, there’s no rush,” she advises. “Just because you move into a new family doesn’t mean nothing’s going to happen with your ordinary family. It just means you’ve got two lots of family.” 

Her warm and positive outlook makes her a natural ambassador for Shared Lives, helping others see the program as a life-enhancing opportunity. 

Making an Impact 

Dean and Claire are just getting started in their roles, but they’ve already been busy. Together with Ategi staff, they’ve been: 

• Visiting local community spaces to share information about Shared Lives. 

• Researching upcoming events where they can promote the program. 

• Building skills that will help them in their roles, such as using laptops for research and planning. 

As Dean put it, “Working with Ategi is good because it gives me more freedom and confidence to try and get others involved.” 

Join the Shared Lives Community 

Dean and Claire’s stories highlight the incredible potential of Shared Lives to create meaningful connections and opportunities. Whether you’re interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer or just want to learn more about the program, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of others. 

Stay tuned for updates from our champions as they continue their journey, spreading awareness and changing lives in Central Bedfordshire! 

Find out about becoming a Shared Lives carer