Organisation Address
United Kingdom
Shared Lives is a care service that matches people aged 18 and above who want to live independently in their community with an approved Shared Lives carer. This carer shares their home and community life to support the person to live their highest quality of life. It gives them the opportunity to live in a family environment instead of staying in a residential setting or being looked after by support workers.
Shared Lives matches an adult or young person with a dedicated Shared Lives carer who opens up their home and family life to that person.
Each person in need of support has different goals, and so each Shared Lives arrangement also looks different. Opportunities can involve:
- short-term breaks - where a carer welcomes an adult or young person into their home for anything from a few hours, a night or a couple of weeks. It may be a 'one-off' or planned on a regular basis
- long-term arrangements - where a carer has an adult or young person move into their home for a few weeks, months, or many years
You can watch a video about the scheme at: About Shared Lives - Gateshead Council
