About the programme
Shared Lives Plus’ national test, learn and grow programme ‘Live More’ is exploring the potential of Shared Lives day support for people living with dementia and their families.
We partnered with Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, where all ten local authority areas are involved, and are expanding the programme to include other local areas across the UK. We are also running a Community of Practice for local areas who are interested in learning and contributing to this work.
Why Shared Lives day arrangements make a difference
Staying active and connected to the people, places and things that matter to us is central to all of our wellbeing. When someone lives with dementia, being connected to people, hobbies, activities and places that make us feel alive keeps our spark for longer, and helps temper the loss of a sense of control and pressure on family and friends. Yet many people and families experience a desert of support after a diagnosis, and end up isolated for a long time, and only turning to social care support at the last crisis point.
But it is in this ‘bridging space’ – before people are typically eligible for adult social care, or the point where family carers typically reach out for respite, but past the point where people living with dementia can independently remain active and connected in their local communities – that Shared Lives day arrangements add the greatest value following diagnosis, to avoid future crisis.
Research by Prendergast et al on Supporting social connection for people living with dementia: lessons from the findings of the TRIO study concluded that people living with dementia who have accessed Shared Lives day support and short breaks experienced enhanced social connection, a sense of control over their lives and community presence, while offering family carers much valued ‘time out’ and strengthening their capacity to offer ongoing support. A study of Shared Lives day support for people with dementia in Moray found that ‘Shared Lives can support people to live at home for longer and delay accessing residential care.’ This indicates an opportunity to invest in Shared Lives day support as a mode of early action and prevention; delaying or offsetting calls on more intensive and costly health and social care services.
Our year long evaluation in Greater Manchester will soon be published in Autumn 2026, but in the meantime read people’s moving stories of their experiences with Live More.
