Date published: July 13, 2023
A tribute to Sue Newton, MBE – founder of Shared Lives
All of us at Shared Lives Plus are saddened to hear the news that Sue Newton, our President and the founder of Shared Lives, has recently passed away. We are very grateful to Sue, her legacy, and her dedication to Shared Lives.
Sue truly is the reason that Shared Lives exists today, having founded, and developed Shared Lives whilst working at PSS in the late 1970s. In 1992 she set up Shared Lives Plus (known back then as the National Association of Adult Placement Services or NAAPS UK) by gathering all the UK schemes together.
Richard Jones, our Chair of Trustees said,
“Any major change or social movement (which Shared Lives Plus is) needs passionate, committed, and brave leaders who are prepared to speak up and act. Sue Newton was one of those leaders who knew change was needed and was prepared to lead from the front, we owe her a huge debt of gratitude.”
In 2020, Sue said, “When I recruited my first Shared Lives carer in the late 1970s, I knew I had struck gold. I saw at first hand the acceptance and inclusion of a stranger into the household. The different ways people were made to feel at home and be part of the family set-up and the skills of the carer to enable this to happen. It is on this gift relationship that Shared Lives blossoms. I would like to thank all Shared Lives carers for all that they do, it is beyond price. You have my admiration and my gratitude.”
Alex Fox, our previous CEO said,
“Sue pioneered the concept of Shared Lives at a time when there was very little like it in the UK. She had the vision to imagine a more compassionate and social way to offer people support, to make it happen, and then she was a key figure in the sector evolving nationally. Her work made a huge impact on the lives of thousands of people, and she remained a source of support and wisdom for Shared Lives Plus for many years after she retired. She will be much missed.”
Sian Lockwood was elected chair of NAAPS UK (now Shared Lives Plus) in 2002. In 2010, with Sian’s leadership we became Shared Lives Plus. Sian worked very closely with Sue and said,
“I was so saddened to hear the news of Sue's passing. She was the fount of all knowledge about the history and practice of Shared Lives and a mentor, guide and friend to me over many years. She will be much missed.”
Sue was a remarkable woman, who we will miss very much, and we extend our condolences to Sue’s family at this sad time.
