Shared Lives week 2022

For Shared Lives week Shared Lives Plus have launched a national campaign to recruit more short-term/ short break Shared Lives carers. Shared Lives carers offer short breaks/ short term support, they provide much needed respite for full time carers, whilst also offering support that's flexible to their lifestyle. They might provide support in the day or have someone to visit over night for a weekend, it's flexible to the carer.

A bit about Shared Lives

Across the UK, there are 8,000 Shared Lives carers supporting more than 10,000 adults, through 145 different schemes. The sector has grown by more than 30 percent in recent years. Local Shared Lives services are fully regulated by the Care Quality Commission, which consistently rates the model as the best quality and safest form of adult social care, with 95% of all Shared Lives schemes rated as good or outstanding.

Who can be a Shared Lives carer?

Shared Lives carers, come from a range of careers and are carefully matched with an adult with support needs. Shared Lives carers support the individual and encourage them to develop practical skills, build self-esteem, establish new friendships and social networks. All Shared lives carers are given fulll training and an ongoing support network.

To become a Shared Lives carer, you must be over 18 years of age and don’t need specific qualifications, just the right values, commitment and of course, a spare bedroom.

Why short break carers are so important

During the pandemic, thousands of Shared Lives carers supported people without breaks. Since the closure of many day centres and austerity cuts to social care, some local authorities have been unable to offer a break for the person supported by Shared Lives carers, or the carer themselves. During this years Shared Lives week 2022, Shared Lives Plus are launching a carer recruitment campaign to help councils offer statutory breaks that benefit people being supported, and their Shared Lives carers.

Jayne Wilson, interim CEO of Shared Lives Plus says, “We know there are hundreds of thousands of people who generously want to offer their time and homes to others who need support to do everyday tasks.

“We are looking for people who want a flexible and rewarding role, using skills from their previous experience, to offer a regular afternoon, day, or week to help give people a break from their usual living and care arrangements – and you’ll be paid a fee. Our members, Shared Lives services offer all the support you’ll need when you’re in a new role, and make sure that you and the person you support enjoy it."

If you're somone who is looking for a flexible role that works around family or other work commitments, then you could become a Shared Lives carer.

To find out more about becoming an Ategi Shared Lives carer, visit our Becoming a Shared Lives carer page.