Date published: July 6, 2022
Celebrating the best of Shared Lives Week 2022
#SharedLivesWeek2022 was a fantastic celebration of the best of Shared Lives. Up and down the country Shared Lives carers, schemes, and households were busy getting out there and having a good time while raising the profile of Shared Lives.
There were drop-in sessions across the UK, in town halls, parks and libraries.
Load of picnics and day trips for people to get together and have a good time – thankfully with lovely weather!
Camden even went to the Zoo with their CQC inspector!
Wakefield’s main Shared Lives Week event was a Carer’s Coffee Morning at Hemsworth Community Centre where they had a quiz, guess how many sweets in a jar, treasure hunt, countdown raffle and a selfie station. They decorated the event with bunting created by people who live in Shared Lives.
And even when the Shared Lives community weren’t getting together in big groups, you were still sharing your activities with the world, to give people a glimpse into what a Shared Lives life can look like.
Shared Lives Plus got in on the event action ourselves, with a stand at the NHS Confederation Expo.
Throughout the day, health and care leaders and their teams came and found out about the opportunities that Shared Lives can bring first hand – from Lee who lives in a Shared Lives arrangement with Shared Lives carer Chris, and from our ambassador Meg.
Schemes also used #SharedLivesWeek2022 to give people a bit more information about Shared Lives, whether through FAQ videos, radio interviews, or colleague spotlight profiles.
Of course, while Shared Lives Week may be over for another year, the work of Shared Lives continues. And Moray in Scotland followed up their online Shared Lives Week campaign with an in-person recruitment event.
Diane from Moray tells us it was a lovely day with a steady stream of people throughout the event.
“Much hilarity was had over tea and cakes- So good to bring people together. Three potential carers have already been in touch for more info.”
Thank you to everyone who took part in Shared Lives Week. Whether you were hosting an event, or sharing a hashtag, it all adds up.
Because when we work together to do things, great things can happen.
Or to put it another way – our lives get better when they’re shared.
