Let’s Celebrate Intergenerational Spaces and Communities: Chloe’s story

“I had always known that my aim was to become a Shared Lives carer. My Nanny has been a Shared Lives carer since I was young. Watching Nanny welcome others not only into her home but into our family was inspirational. I had stayed at Nanny’s often to provide respite for the people in her care and absolutely loved my time spent with the individuals. They are a large part of our family, and it was lovely to experience the role. I therefore did not even consider my age when applying to become a Shared Lives carer.”

Chloe became a Shared Lives carer when her daughter was just one year old. “I loved being at home with my daughter and supporting the lady we cared for. While having such a young daughter and caring for another, it was very important that I was organised, thorough and prioritised tasks to ensure that both had their needs and wishes met.”

“We have a wide range of ages in our household, ranging from our four-year-old daughter to the oldest lady we support, who is 58 years old. Despite the age differences, we not only share interests within the household but also as family. What’s lovely is watching the three people we support interact and play with our daughter. They all come down to her level and play with her, enjoying their time together.”

Chloe doesn’t see age as a challenge. “We haven’t faced any challenges because we share interests. But we’re also individuals with our own unique interests. We make sure we spend time together as a family, while also respecting everyone’s need for personal space and individual activities. When making decisions – like what to do over the weekend – we offer a range of options. If someone doesn’t want to participate, we find alternatives, or they can have some time to themselves.”

“I think our daughter has learned a lot from us sharing our home. She’s open and kind to everyone. She interacts not only with those in our household but also with other Shared Lives carers and the people they support. She’s respectful and understands that we are all different. Being part of an intergenerational family has taught her to be adaptive, understanding that we all have different abilities and interests, and that age can play a role in that.”

Chloe believes Shared Lives helps build a sense of community. “Shared Lives creates a connection across generations by matching people based on similarities – interests, needs, and personalities – rather than age. This approach ensures each person receives the support they need, and it helps intergenerational families thrive.”

“Age may be seen as an important factor during the matching process. There’s a misconception that people of a similar age make better matches because they’re more likely to have things in common. To challenge this, I’d encourage carers to go beyond just reading and to have an initial meeting before making a decision – especially if age differences are a concern. Sharing stories and experiences from intergenerational families can show that these matches work well, despite age gaps.”

Chloe’s advice to anyone considering becoming a Shared Lives carer is clear: “If you’re unsure about becoming a Shared Lives carer due to age or concerns about the age gap with those you support, I’d say to be open-minded. There are many benefits to being a younger Shared Lives carer and raising children while supporting someone; it is incredibly rewarding. You’ll have lots of support from your scheme, and it’s important to take your time with the matching process to ensure it’s the best for everyone— because Shared Lives isn’t just offering a home, it’s offering a family environment.”

If Chloe’s story has inspired you to consider becoming a Shared Lives carer, you can learn more about starting your journey today. You can also watch Chloe’s video with her family on Norfolk Care Careers.

Join us in celebrating Global Intergenerational Week (GIW25) this year. Reflect on the importance of intergenerational connections and share your own story. Use #GIW25 on social media and get involved by spreading the message of intergenerational living.