Awards 2022: Clint Attard highly commended for the Outstanding Shared Lives Carer Award

Clint is part of one of Shared Lives most innovative schemes, the South East Wales scheme. Clint has helped in the development and running of the Schemes Mental Health crisis service, a service recognised by the World Health Organisation for its fantastic work. They were one of the few schemes to continue taking new referrals throughout the pandemic, and their work evaluating the quality of care they provide is unique.

Since becoming a Shared Lives carer in 2019 Clint has provided 24 arrangements and continued to work throughout the pandemic. Working throughout Covid was no easy task for carers given the constantly changing restrictions they had to adhere to. Clints, and other carers, dedication to others in their communities shone through during this time. Clint provides a stable environment to people in which they are able to recover and reach the next steps on their Mental Health journey. He has provided some stand out arrangements with outstanding feedback.

Though, what make Clint’s story all the more remarkable is that, alongside his role as a Shared Lives Carer, he balances working full time during the day for a Local Authority Day Service for people with a Learning Disability, complex needs and Autism. And it is not just Clint’s experience in the care sector that makes him a standout carer, he has had to overcome his own barriers, given he is hearing impaired, and English is only his second language. These factors have contributed towards his empathetic and caring approach, which has helped some people carry on through their darkest hour.

‘As I say, what I do I don’t do for awards. But as I say, the message I had from you Sam, when you said you all came together and nominated me that meant the world for me.’ says Clint.

Clint not only develops positive relationships with people he cares for, but also with their families as well. He is open and honest with them and tries to ensure they spend as much time with their loved ones as possible.

‘The work he does, the help he’s given me is utterly amazing. He’s helped my family and helped me in my home as well. I mean I’m just speechless at the things he’s done. Sometimes actions speak louder than words and a lot of this is action rather than words.’ says Gareth, one of the men that Clint supported.

Clints dedication to positive outcomes for those he cares for, and the people close to them, is what makes him such an outstanding carer.