Date published: April 1, 2019
Shared Lives carer champions here to help
Our small team of Shared Lives carer champions, funded by the Ellerman Foundation over the next three years have joined our team, offering more regional support to our members.
Our Champions are all current Shared Lives carers, and have a wealth of experience, not only in providing Shared Lives in their communities, but in a variety of other areas too, and their commitment and enthusiasm for Shared Lives is infectious, in a good way!
Our Champions will be working across the regions of the England and Wales primarily. We hope to expand into Scotland and Northern Ireland in the not too distant future. They will not be ‘working’ as Champions when it comes to their own schemes, to avoid confusion. Some are already involved in carer groups and working with their schemes.
Here are Champions, who will be championing the work of Shared Lives carers around the nations:
Steve Collis, 07387 418741, steve@sharedlivesplus.org.uk
I share my home with three people and five dogs! I love my Shared Lives carer role, both the challenges and the satisfaction I get from seeing people grow in confidence and independence.
I am a keen advocate of carers, passionate that we should be recognised as experts in what we do – supporting people when they need it most.
I am not afraid to speak up on issues so do please contact me or any of the other Champions and we will do as much as we can to support you.
Andy Cooke, Southern and South East England, Thursday is my main working day, 07764 469349, andy@sharedlivesplus.org.uk @andydcooke
After a successful career in teaching I became a Shared Lives Carer in 2010 when I and my family began sharing our lives with James.
We all live in Hertfordshire sharing Bronte the dog, who accompanies us almost everywhere we go!
James is also a Shared Lives Ambassador, and we often work together both nationally and locally. We founded ‘Local Social’, a CIC which supports people and communities to connect. Bronte is training to be a Dogs for Good volunteer!
I’m an active member of TLAP www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk, a Trustee of the local CVS, and I am training to be a LeDeR reviewer. I am excited to join the team and would be delighted to hear from you.
Helen Piscioneri, London, Friday is my main working day, 07921 057300, helen@sharedlivesplus.org.uk
I have been a carer at Shared Lives Greenwich for 28 years. For the last 24 I have cared and looked after 3 people, who along with my husband (of 31 years!) and my daughter are very much part of my family.
Being of Italian descent, family is very important to me. Whether socialising, eating together, holidays, days out; my family are always around. This of course includes my 2 gorgeous dogs, Jack and Bella.
My work is something that I am very passionate about, and I am excited to be taking on the role of carer Champion for London. I am looking forward to meeting carers around this area and providing as much support to you as possible.
If you’re a member and you would like advice from our carer support team, please contact them directly, or email info@sharedlivesplus.org.uk or ring 0151 227 3499.
