Shared Lives: J's Story

(Names have been made anonymous to maintain privacy)

J lives in a long-term Shared Lives placement with carers B & D. J has been living with B & D for two years and has his own bedroom. B & D support J to cook meals, manage his money and offer support and encouragement to ensure that he develops as an individual.

One of the things J is very proud of is his paid apprenticeship at Yellow Submarine Café. J works full time at the café, his tasks include serving customers at the till, preparing food, cleaning up and taking part in general café duties. B & D have been very involved in encouraging J to get to work on time and will regularly talk to J about any issues he has at work and when needed they talk to Yellow Submarine about any issues that J may have.

Supportive

J states that B & D are very friendly, he likes the food they make, and he states that they have been away on trips together to London which have been fun. J spends time away on weekends with his family, he hopes in the future to be able to live independently in his own flat.

B & D are encouraging and prompting J to develop independent living skills such as cleaning his bedroom, making meals and managing his money. J feels that with their support he is learning much more and hopes that in future he will be able to start looking at independent living options.

Could you be a Shared Lives Carer?

Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life. 

There are adults in Oxfordshire who need care and support. In most cases, a member of their family or a close friend provides this care. Sometimes, however, this is not possible.

Sometimes the person who needs help may be offered sheltered accommodation, day care or residential care. But these traditional services may not always be the answer, for example where:

• the person has no close family or friends
• the family is no longer able to provide care and support
• relationships between the family have broken down
• the adult does not want to continue living at home
• the adult does not want to enter (or wants to leave) residential care.

One of the best ways of providing them with the kind of care they require is to offer them the chance to stay in a Shared Lives carer's home. Or, alternatively, to be supported in their own home by a Shared Lives carer.

The Shared Lives service gives vulnerable and disabled adults this opportunity, enabling them to live as independently as possible by sharing in the carer's family life. Shared Lives carers are paid carers and the role would be especially good for those working at home. Find out more