Date published: March 25, 2025
Shared Lives winners at the national finals of the Great British Care awards 2025
A Shared Lives household and a Shared Lives scheme have won awards at the National Final of the Great British Care Awards in Birmingham on 14th March 2025. Shared Lives carers Pat and Jeff Nelson took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Care, after previously receiving this same award at the Northwest Regional Awards. South East Wales Shared Lives scheme were awarded the Home Care Team Award for going above and beyond in their dedication to supporting Shared Lives households.
Shared Lives carers - Pat and Jeff
Pat and Jeff began their carer journey back in the 1970s when becoming the first people to foster children with additional needs. They welcomed twin sisters Nickie and Jackie into their home when the girls were three years old. The twins had been living in an institution with little interaction but once in Pat and Jeff’s family home, they thrived! Once the twins turned 18, Pat and Jeff became Shared Lives carers so the family unit could stay together.
Pat and Jeff have been caring for over 50 years and at present continue to support Jackie, now aged 52, in Shared Lives. Nickie sadly passed away in 2023, and Pat and Jeff made sure she was surrounded by family.
Vanessa Perry, Service Manager at Shared Lives, United Response Merseyside said,
“I am very much in awe of Pat and Jeff, who they are as people and everything they have achieved, they are very special and unique people who I have learnt more from than anyone I know. They are fantastic Shared Lives carers and I feel privileged to know them, this award is so well deserved.”
Shared Lives scheme - South East Wales
Leanne Jones and Lindsey Hurley from South East Wales Shared Lives scheme attended the awards, having previously won at the Wales regionals. The Home Care Team award highlights the scheme’s outstanding and collaborative approach to working with health boards and other NHS colleagues to improve outcomes and make a real difference to people’s lives.
Leanne said, “We are lucky to have such dedicated and committed team members, and Shared Lives carers, and are very proud to receive this team award at the National finals!”
The South East Wales Shared Lives team stand as a testament to the power of shared goals and mutual respect, and co-production with health colleagues has ensured that people with lived experience of Shared Lives are actively involved in decision-making processes, which increases their confidence, self esteem and sense of empowerment.
