A special event was held earlier today to celebrate and recognise the work undertaken by Herefordshire’s Shared Lives carers.
It was timed to coincide with National Shared Lives Week, an annual celebration of shared lives across the UK (#WeAreSharedLives).
More than 40 local Shared Lives carers and the people they support attended the event, held at Hereford Rowing Club and funded by the Department of Health and Social Care’s Accelerating Reform Fund for adult social care.
The event featured new videos, created by Herefordshire-based Shooting Reels, which showcased the valuable and rewarding work undertaken by Shared Lives carers. Households also shared inspirational and heart-warming stories based on their own experiences of Shared Lives.
Shared Lives carers open their homes and lives to support people with care or support needs – from young adults leaving care, to people with a learning disability, mental ill health, or older people living with dementia. They offer everything from day support and short breaks to full-time care – always backed by their local Shared Lives scheme.
Shared Lives is increasingly appealing to people looking for more meaningful work, greater flexibility, and a way to make a difference.
Ewan King, Chief Executive of Shared Lives Plus, says:
In Shared Lives, people meet gradually, take time to get to know one another, and only move forward when everyone feels ready. That’s what makes these relationships so powerful – they’re built on trust, choice and real connection.
Paul Walker, Chief Executive at Herefordshire Council, attended the event. He said:
Shared Lives is such a rewarding programme and it’s been great to attend today’s event and hear about some of the real-life experiences of those involved. By sharing their homes and local community connections, Shared Lives carers are really making a difference by enabling others to be more independent and to live more fulfilled lives.
Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, was also at the event. She added:
Coming to this event and listening to the difference Shared Lives carers make to the people they support is truly heart-warming. However, we need more people to apply to be Shared Lives carers so that we can support more family carers who need a break and help more individuals to access a personalised service that we know enriches their lives and helps them to become more independent.
For more information on Shared Lives and how you can open your heart and home to someone who needs support, please visit our website, call 01432 260798 or email sharedlives@herefordshire.gov.uk.