A message to our members as we reflect on 2024

Here at Shared Lives Plus, we are taking stock of another busy year. We continue to be amazed by the dedication of Shared Lives carers and scheme workers, and the warmth of Homeshare arrangements, despite the many ongoing challenges we face. Human relationships remain at the heart of the world of Shared Living, inspiring and energising our work at Shared Lives Plus.

Some of our highlights this year include:

The launch of our new programme for young people leaving care in June, a UK wide project for care experienced people.

Our series of workshops and webinars for Shared Lives schemes and Shared Lives carers, as part of our “grow your know how” resource.

Working with more than ten Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to support investment in growing Shared Lives and Homeshare through the Accelerating Reform Funding (ARF).

Taking part in the National Children and Adult Services Conference  NCASC as part of the “Better, Now” collaboration.

As 2024 draws to a close, we know that many of you will be preparing for a busy festive period, and maybe some rest. Whatever this season holds for you, the team at Shared Lives Plus would like to say thank you for making such a positive difference to people’s lives.

We wish you a peaceful festive period and a happy New Year.

The team at Shared Lives Plus

Dear all,

I hope you are looking forward to the festive period, and I wanted to thank you for all your hard work and commitment this year. What you do is exceptional and supports so many people to live their best lives.

I am in a privileged position to be sent comments from people who are supported by Shared Lives carers and Homesharers, or from their loved ones. Here is one, from the daughter of a woman with dementia who spends time with a Shared Lives carer in Northern Ireland:

“It’s working out brilliantly. I can’t believe my mum remembers H each time she comes. We have a WhatsApp group so the family knows what mum has been doing with H, and we see photos of where they have been and can talk to my mum about it. And H says she has been enjoying my mum’s company too.”

I also hear from Shared Lives carers, like this carer in Scotland, who said:

“I know I’m doing a good job when I see the look on people’s face when I arrive to pick them up. I know some women who have started wearing lipstick again, thinking about what they’ll wear, since they’ve been coming out with me. Before, they’d lost sight of themselves.”

These messages are important reminders to us all that shared living can make a real difference to people’s lives. Another example was captured in this lovely film produced by researchers in South West England about Shared lives carers and the gentleman they support– do have a watch.

I recognise too, that the wider environment remains challenging. Whilst we have a new Government, the financial climate continues to pose difficulties for the adult social care sector. Additionally, the cost of living remains high across the nations. We know that for many Shared Lives carers, fees are not as high as they should be, and there are ongoing problems for some in accessing breaks. We will continue to advocate for a better deal for Shared Lives carers in 2025.

I think there is growing recognition that Shared Lives offers one of the best available forms of support for people who need care and support. In parts of England, we welcomed new money being invested in Shared Lives through the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF), which received further government funding in November:

“The ARF is also supporting some areas in the country to scale up community-based care models. These enshrine ‘home first’ principles that enable people to live independently for longer, such as through the Shared Lives service, which matches people with care needs with approved carers who share their home.”

I am optimistic that across the UK nations, we will see a stronger focus on, and investment in, Shared Lives for young people leaving care. Our young people leaving care programme, which is now working with 28 local authorities, goes from strength to strength.

It was also good to see Homeshare, a model of housing with support, being mentioned in a new government strategy on housing for older people. The report stated:

‘Homeshare enables two unrelated people to share a home and their lives for their mutual benefit. Companionship and mutual support are at the heart of Homesharing – not financial gain. Homeshare offers a potential intergenerational solution, providing affordable housing to often younger people in return for supporting an older occupier to live independently at home.’

Next year promises to be a rewarding year for shared living, with renewed growth for Shared Lives, and an increasingly dynamic Homeshare network.  I look forward to receiving yet more stories of the ways in which Shared Lives and Homeshare are making positive changes to people’s lives.

Have a happy and restful festive period, however you celebrate.

Ewan King, CEO Shared Lives Plus