Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group hears about the benefits of Shared Lives

The presentation (co-delivered by Diane McLeary from Moray Shared Lives and Ben Hall, Scotland Development Manager) focused on growing Shared Lives in Scotland and demonstrating the fantastic work of Shared Lives carers.

The meeting was chaired by Jeremy Balfour MSP. Jeremy is a keen supporter of Shared Lives who has met with Shared Lives carers and their families in the past. There were around 35 attendees, a mix of MSPs, and people interested in social care and aging. The event was a great opportunity to continue our discussions with key stakeholders in Scotland’s care sector. We are very hopeful that such discussions will lead to benefits for Shared Lives members.

Jeremy Balfour encouraged decision makers to look hard at Shared Lives, saying,

“I have met and seen the work of Shared Lives Plus in other contexts, and the work they do is very good indeed.”

Diane spoke about the inspiring impact of Shared Lives on older people and those with dementia. She highlighted how Shared Lives’ unique and person-centred approach provides a sense of belonging and community that’s hard to find in other types of care. She also outlined how becoming a Shared Lives carer can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

Ben provided an overview of Shared Lives’ development in Scotland and the benefits of Health and Social Care Partnerships. He said,

“It is important that we tell these stories to reinforce the fact that Shared Lives offers a cost-effective and high-quality alternative to traditional care models, promoting independence, reducing reliance on institutional care, and allowing people to live at home leading fulfilling lives.”

The presentation was well-received, with attendees expressing an interest in learning more about Shared Lives, and exploring how they could support the development of Shared Lives in their areas. The event was a great opportunity for Shared Lives Plus to raise awareness of the benefits of this innovative model of care, and to engage with key stakeholders in the Scottish Parliament and wider care sector.

Read our guide to growing Shared Lives in Scotland.

If you would like to find out about the potential for growing Shared Lives in your area, contact our Strategic Advice and Consultancy Support team who can talk to you about the range of services we can offer.