#SharedLivesWeek2023 Shared Lives carer attends King Charles’ Coronation

(Shared Lives ambassador Lee with Shared Lives carer Chris at the Royal Garden party this year)

Rowenna was present in the Abbey as King Charles officially became the 40^th reigning monarch to be crowned since 1066.

“Honestly there was no comparison to being there, absolutely no comparison. It gave you goosebumps throughout. It was fantastic, absolutely fantastic.” Says Rowenna.

Having travelled all the way down from Leeds the day before, Rowenna arrived at the Abbey at 9am and was seated inside. As the morning went on more and more high profile names arrived; foreign dignitaries, ex-prime ministers, and the royal family all filtered through the Abbey door as Rowenna watched on. A few high-profile celebs were also amongst the attendees.

“You were rubbing shoulders with very well-known people. I mean, I saw lots of people like Ant and Dec, and Katy Perry.”

The official process of the coronation began soon after, an event which only comes around once a generation. Rowenna looked on in awe at the truly historical ceremony, something she says she ‘will never forget’.

“It was all very historic. These traditions have taken place over almost 1000 years or more.

“It felt like you were going back in time to be honest.”

Looking back on it now, Rowenna still can’t quite believe she was there on the day, though is quietly looking forward to getting back into the swing of her daily life.

“I just want to sort of go back to what I know. I don’t really like having the spotlight on me.”

She had to have the spotlight on her a little bit longer as she was invited to speak about her experience on BBC’s Look North. This provided a great opportunity for a fun day out with the people she supports.

Rowenna supports two people in her home in Seacroft, as well as supporting two others in the community with Leeds Shared Lives. Having previously worked as a parent support advisor for parent support advisor for students with special needs, Rowenna became a Shared Lives carer following an interesting conversation with her sister.

“My sister said: ‘Rowenna have you never considered adults?’ And you know, up until that point, I hadn’t considered adults, and all I’d ever done is worked with children. But of course, I worked with children with additional needs, and they don’t have an expiry date, do they?”

It was Rowenna’s work as a Shared Lives carer that started her journey to the coronation. When lockdown hit Rowenna knew it was vital for the wellbeing of those she supported, and herself, that they remained active. As a result, she put together a rolling weekly programme which included; cooking, arts and crafts, dance and drama, as well as exercise. This fantastic work saw her nominated for a BME, which she was eventually awarded. Despite this, Rowenna remains remarkably humble.

“They’re things that I enjoyed doing. They’re things that we often do, and I’ve got a medal for it? I can’t really connect the dots with that to be honest. It’s something we enjoy doing and I’ve got a medal for it. I don’t understand, but anyway.”

As a result, Rowenna attended the garden party at Buckingham Palace last year, and this February she received an email confirming her invitation to the coronation.

“When it came through, I screamed. And as I screamed, the gentlemen I support walked through the door and I gave him the shock of his life.”

Three months on, after a truly ‘astonishing’ experience, Rowenna is looking forward to getting back to being a Shared Lives carer.

“I will never look back because it is the best job I’ve ever had.”

It’s thanks to the amazing work of carers like Rowenna, up and down the UK, that thousands of people are able to live more dignified lives within their communities. Thank you!