A day in the life: Diane from Moray Shared Lives scheme and a visit to Cranloch Riding Centre

Diane, a Shared Lives Officer who coordinates the service in Moray, recently joined a shadow visit with Alison and her carer Charlie at Cranloch Riding Centre. It’s one of a few visits she manages each year—and one that left a lasting impression.

“Getting out and about for shadow visits only happens about four or five times a year, so I really enjoy the outings personally,” says Diane. “But it also inspires me professionally—to see first-hand the outcomes we’re achieving, and the difference Shared Lives makes.”

Diane’s role is wide-ranging. She allocates work to office staff, supports her team with advice, promotes Shared Lives locally and nationally, reviews Shared Lives carers every six months, and completes Care Inspectorate returns and reports.

“A normal day can include any of the above—or anything else that comes up. Most days, I work from home, coordinating everything from there” she says. But when she gets out to visit Shared Lives households, it gives her a valuable perspective.

“On visits like these, I’m looking to see if the person’s agreed outcomes are being met—like spending time safely in the community, building confidence, or socialising. I also look at the relationships. Is there good communication? Is the person offered choice and control? Is the carer supporting meaningful engagement?”

During her visit with Alison and Charlie, those outcomes were clear to see. Alison, who has a learning disability, has been supported through Shared Lives for many years and is now one of the Moray scheme’s ambassadors. She needs support when out in the community and recently overcame a period of ill health, thanks in part to the continuity of care from her Shared Lives carers.

“It was lovely to see her looking so well,” says Diane. “I was greeted with a huge smile and excitement about the new foal at the centre—Sonic, named for his speed, which Alison found very funny.”

Alison visited the lambs and even got to feed them. Charlie supported her with just the right balance—helping when needed but encouraging independence where possible.

“What stood out was how included both Alison and Charlie were—how confident Alison looked, how she knew her way around. It was clear she’s been going to the centre for a long time, and the relationships she’s built there are so genuine. That sense of belonging was really special.”

Another special moment came when they found a scrapbook from 1993 with a photo of Alison from one of her early visits. “The sharing of the old photo was lovely. Alison was openly delighted to have been part of the centre for so long,” Diane says.

For Diane, visits like these go beyond formal check-ins. “They help me build a rapport that’s different from assessments, inductions or reviews. I always make sure visits are voluntary and encourage carers to invite me along to home activities or local outings they do together.”

“These visits let me see the fun side of the service –carers doing what they do best: caring and making life better for the people they support. They’re always proud to show the difference they’ve made, and that’s why I see the visits as so important.”

For Alison, Shared Lives is about more than daily support—it’s about connection. She also spends time with another young woman in the scheme, enjoying gardening, art and other activities at Charlie’s. She says she “loves time with Charlie and they get on great!”

Diane says that’s what Shared Lives is all about: “Time with Shared Lives supports Alison’s outcomes—socialising, structure in her week, staying active and building independence.”
If you feel inspired to become a Shared Lives carer, learn more at www.startyoursharedlife.today