A scheme to help people live their lives to the full is looking for carers with space in their heart and room in their homes.
Trafford Shared Lives scheme are looking for full time, respite and day support carers. Shared Lives carers open up their homes and family lives to include a young person or adult who needs extra support to live well.
Cllr Jo Harding, Trafford Council Executive Member for Adult Services, went out to visit one of the Shared Lives projects, before the new coronavirus restrictions were brought back in.
During lockdown, the people in the home arrangement have been very busy keeping scrap books of life during lockdown and also writing letters to lots of people. They have written to the Queen – and had a response, Prince Charles, Prince William, Boris Johnson and even Donald Trump!
Cllr Harding said:
“I want to say a big thank you to all our Shared Lives carers and recognise the work that they do in supporting people to live happy, fulfilled and independent lives. It is clear just how much of a happy family Michael, Richard and Kelroy are. I am looking forward to visiting again after lockdown and when the sun is shining!”
New carers might have experience from healthcare, working in the community or with disabled people, or just have common sense and be an open, caring person looking for a new challenge. Shared lives arrangements vary quite a lot. Sometimes they provide a home for life for a person, other times they may provide a short term placement when their own family or carers need a rest, want to take a break or are ill.
Cllr Harding added:
“Being a shared lives carer is such a generous and loving thing to do but it is also really rewarding and I would urge everyone to think if they would be suitable for such a great role within our community.”
Shared Lives carers support people who are over 16, eligible for social care services and need support to live in the community if they cannot live with their own family but want to live as part of a family. All carers need to complete this role is a spare room and some available time.
Carers can earn up to £587.50 per week, with tax allowances also included. For further information please visit the Shared Lives webpage.
Posted on Friday 7th August 2020