Shared Lives Week 2021 14-20 June
This week is Shared Lives Week and we are celebrating the contribution our Shared Lived Carers make throughout the year.
Shared Lives is is a community/family based model of care and support that provides long term, short breaks and day support within people’s homes. Arrangements range from offering support for a few hours a week to providing a long term home. Shared Lives Carers are self-employed and receive a fee for their work. Shared Lives is run by East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership. It is registered with the Care Inspectorate.
East Lothian Integration Joint Board Vice-Chair Councillor Shamin Akhtar said:
‘Most of us think that home, family and friends are the most important things in life and this is also the case for people with support needs. Our Shared Lives service provides this for people who may otherwise live much more isolated and lonely lives. Most people are familiar with the fostering model of care and support for children. Shared Lives is a similar service which supports adults and older people
‘Our Shared Lives carers open their lives and their homes to people with support needs. They really welcome people into their families, big or small, and provide support, stimulation, affection and fun. They make a huge difference and their contribution has been especially important during the pandemic, in helping people through difficult and worrying times.
‘It’s an incredibly worthwhile thing to do. I know when people read about something like this, they often think “I might like to do this too.” So, if you want to find out more, please do visit our new Shared Lives page to find out from carers and adults who are part of Shared Lives what the scheme means to them. We’d love to talk to you if you think it’s something that you would like to do.
I can’t thank our Shared Lives carers enough. They are wonderful people and they make a real difference to the people they support and their wider families too. You are fantastic – thank you so much.’
If you would like to speak to someone about Shared Lives, email us at sharedlives@eastlothian.gov.uk or phone our Shared Lives Co-ordinator 01620 827 280
PS - If you want to find out more about Shared Lives from the point of view of someone who uses the service, get this Thursday’s East Lothian Courier for the article with Abby talking about Shared Lives and being a Shared Lives ambassador for the national body Shared Lives Plus.