Residents across Rotherham celebrated the Shared Lives community, honouring the amazing network of Shared Lives carers and the huge impact they have in the borough.
The Shared Lives Service enables people with additional needs or dementia to live as part of a family, within a carer's home, where they receive the support they needs to live independently within their community. Shared Lives Carers come from all walks of life and can be individuals, couples or families.
The celebrations kicked off with an event at the Town Hall to pay tribute to those carers who have dedicated their time to supporting adults with care needs to live fulfilling lives. Attendees also heard heart-warming stories from people whose lives have been enriched by the scheme.
The event was followed by a fun-filled picnic at Clifton Park where Shared Lives Carers and the people that they support, came together to catch up, share stories and enjoy some tasty food in the sunshine.
Rotherham currently has 91 Shared Lives carers, who are carefully matched by the team with an adult or young person for a short break, day support, or a longer-term arrangement in their home.
Rotherham Shared Lives Carer, Maria Donovan currently cares for 11 adults with additional needs. Maria said: “I started working two days a week as a Shared Lives Carer alongside my NHS job. However, I loved it so much, I gave up my job to offer day support and respite full-time and I haven’t looked back.
“When the people I support come to stay we do all sorts; going to the theatre, shopping, trips to the coast - anything that anyone wants to do we do. One of the chaps I care for is 62 and has a passion for engineering and trains so we spend our afternoons at an engineering workshop where he’s helping build a steam engine.
“As much as it’s great fun to spend my days out and about, my enjoyment comes from supporting them and seeing the look on their faces when we’re taking part in all these different activities. It fills me with so much joy, helping people enjoy full lives and the enjoyment they get is so rewarding - it honestly doesn’t event feel like a job.”
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cllr Joanne Baker-Rogers, said: “Being a Shared Lives Carer is a wonderful opportunity to share your home with a person who needs the stability that only a family can give. Shared Lives creates a sense of belonging and an opportunity to be part of your family life. For anyone interested in becoming a carer I’d wholeheartedly encourage them to contact the friendly team to find out more”
If you want to make a difference to your community by sharing your life and your home with someone who needs support, visit our website.
PICTURED: The Shared Lives team enjoy a picnic with carers and the people they support.
