Making an impact: Shared Lives Scheme in Northern Ireland

Alison Milford, Head of Shared Lives at Age NI, says: “When we started, it was just me. Then, last September, we hired two part-time social workers. A year later, we have 11 approved carers and five matches. It might seem small, but we’ve quickly reached our recruitment target, which is fantastic for a new service.”

Much of the scheme’s success comes from word of mouth. “We recruited two carers from our own volunteers, and even had a donor read about the scheme in the Age NI newsletter and get involved,” Alison explains. “In one case, a referee of a carer applied to become a carer too. The mother of a man’s social worker became a carer, and even the man’s housekeeper signed up. This shows how powerful personal recommendations can be.”

The service has grown quickly. “We now have six carers in one trust alone,” Alison says. “The snowball effect from word of mouth has been incredible.”

In July, the BBC featured the scheme, leading to 16 new enquiries. Julie-Ann Donnelly, Head of Marketing and Communications at Age NI, explains: “We issued the story about our first match between Michael and Mark for Shared Lives Week. The BBC covered the service for a full day across all their news programmes and this had a great response.” “A lot of men reached out after that,” Alison says. “The coverage really resonated.”

Local networks, especially churches, have also helped reach potential carers. “We’ve used church bulletins, and some of the carers we’ve recruited are active in church groups,” Alison says. “They see this as a way to give back to their community.”

Julie-Ann adds: “Targeting local networks works really well. We’re reaching people who genuinely want to help.”

The scheme has already made positive progress in matching carers with older individuals though. In Coleraine, a match has been approved for a 97-year-old lady with limited family support. In Ballymoney, another match has been established for a lady with dementia. In Lisburn, a potential match is being explored for a gentleman already known to the Shared Lives Carer. Meanwhile a match in Holywood has been arranged for a lady dealing with isolation.

They are now working to identify more people who could benefit from support. “We’re a regulated service, so the people we match must have a social worker,” Alison explains. To address this, the team has reached out to various social work teams across Northern Ireland, including sensory support teams. “We’ve found many older people with sensory impairments are quite independent but need help getting out and about,” Alison says. “Shared Lives could make a big difference for them.”

Feedback from carers has also been overwhelmingly positive. “The flexibility of the role is a big plus. One carer told us he loves that he isn’t micromanaged. He can get on with the role but knows we’re here to support him if needed. Another carer said she enjoys spending time with the person she supports, just as much as they enjoy her company.”

Most carers are in their 50s or 60s and are often retired or semi-retired. “They’ve had good careers and now have time to give back,” Alison explains. “Many have cared for relatives or worked in healthcare. They’re kind, compassionate people who want to make a difference.”

The scheme has 11 approved carers across Northern Ireland, but some areas, like WHSCT (the Western Health and Social Care Trust), are still without carers. “We’re holding information sessions and meeting with local teams there to encourage recruitment,” Alison says.

The team’s focus now is on matching the remaining carers with older people. Alison also hopes to approve five more carers by the end of the year, and a celebration event is planned for January to highlight the scheme’s success so far.

What sets Shared Lives apart from other care services is its focus on the individual. “Most care packages are based on need, like personal care and meals,” Alison explains. “But Shared Lives is different. It’s about what the person wants to do with their time. It could be going for walks, sharing meals, or enjoying activities together.”

Julie-Ann adds: “It’s not just care—it’s about friendship. When you see the bond between Mark and Michael, it’s clear this is more than just a service. It’s a genuine relationship that enriches both their lives.”

The scheme challenges traditional views of care for older people. “Care is often something done to older people,” Alison says. “It’s task-based. Shared Lives looks at the whole person, focusing on their social connections and well-being, which are often overlooked.”

Interested in becoming a carer in Northern Ireland?

If you’re over 21 and want to find out more, contact Alison Milford at Age NI:

Email: Alison.Milford@ageni.org

Phone: 028 9024 5729