Nottinghamshire County Council appeal for residents to become Shared Lives Carers

Residents who have a room in their home and are willing to support someone live with them as part of their family, can become long-term Shared Lives carers.

More Nottinghamshire residents than ever before have signed up to become Shared Lives carers to support vulnerable adults.

Nottinghamshire County Council currently has 45 active Shared Lives carer households, which either offer long-term accommodation and support or short breaks for older people, people with a physical or learning disability or people with mental health needs.

There are also currently nine carers being assessed to join the scheme, which will help reduce the waiting list of 16 people currently needing a Shared Lives carer.

However, the Council is appealing for more residents who have a room in their home and are willing to support someone live with them as part of their family, to consider becoming long-term Shared Lives carers to help benefit more people.

Shared Lives households can also offer shorts breaks to allow full-time carers to have a holiday or time away from their caring duties.

People who have support from a Shared Lives carer can gain greater independence and become part of the community through the scheme.

All carers receive training and ongoing support and are paid depending on the needs of the person or people they care for.

Kate Wilson, Shared Lives Team Manager at the County Council, said: “We are really proud that we’ve increased the number of Shared Lives carers in the county, which means more people than ever are benefitting from this wonderful scheme.

“Shared Lives carers offer vulnerable people a real family setting with real relationships and the carers also gain so much from being part of the scheme, so we are always keen to hear from potential new recruits.

“Being a Shared Lives carer is very rewarding and our carers are fully supported with every placement whether they be a single person or a couple with a family of their own.”

Jane Wragg, 54, and her husband from Gamston have been Shared Lives carers for a year. They currently offer short breaks at weekends to people with learning disabilities.

Jane said: “I work full-time as a health and safety advisor for an engineering company in the week, but my husband and I wanted to make good use of our weekends and make a difference for a good cause.

“I don’t have children and I have a natural infinity with adults with a learning disability so Shared Lives seemed like a great idea and we haven’t looked back since.

“The people who we care for at weekends are part of the family and we make the most of our time and get them involved in activities such as dog walking, cycling and going out for tea and cake.

“It’s given us a new purpose in life and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something rewarding to do in their spare time.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer can visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/sharedlives, email [email protected] or phone 0300 500 80 80.