Date published: November 20, 2025
Casey Commission visit to Stoke-on-Trent highlights dementia innovations
Representatives from Baroness Casey’s Independent Commission on Adult Social Care visited Stoke-on-Trent last week to learn how the city is developing new and more personalised ways of supporting people with dementia – including its use of Shared Lives as a preventative, relationship-based model of care.
The visit forms part of the Commission’s national work to understand the future of adult social care, following earlier engagement with Shared Lives schemes, including a visit to Shared Lives South West in June.
Learning about Stoke’s approach to dementia support
Commissioners met with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and partners to explore new models of early intervention, community support, and rehabilitation, including the work taking place at Marrow House. The visit highlighted how the city is working with local health and voluntary sector organisations to help people stay independent, connected, and active for longer.
Shared Lives for dementia: a growing national programme
As part of the visit, commissioners heard how Stoke-on-Trent is developing its use of Shared Lives to support people with dementia.
The scheme, which currently supports 22 people with a learning disability through 35 Shared Lives carers, is now taking part in Live More – a national programme exploring how Shared Lives can offer preventative support for people with early dementia.
Live More is led by Shared Lives Plus, and is being tested by a growing number of local authorities across England. The programme focuses on helping people maintain their wellbeing by spending regular time with a matched Shared Lives carer – whether walking in the park, watching sports, dancing, or simply sharing a brew.
During the visit, commissioners met Shared Lives carers Denice and Paul Condliffe, who have opened their home and lives to two people – Gaynor and Chris – for the last five years. Chris recently received a dementia diagnosis, and the support offered through Shared Lives helps him stay connected to familiar routines, relationships and places.
Shared Lives Plus CEO Ewan King said:
“We are delighted that people living with dementia in Stoke-on-Trent will have the opportunity to take part in this groundbreaking new form of Shared Lives, doing things they love, with people they can get to know over the long term to strengthen their connections in places they love.”
A city-wide commitment to preventative support
Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for adult social care and all-age commissioning, said:
“We are delighted to welcome members of the Baroness Casey Independent Commission team to Stoke-on-Trent to see first-hand the pioneering approach we are taking to supporting people with dementia.
“We are also proud and delighted to be part of the pilot to extend Shared Lives to help people living with dementia experience the most independent lives possible.
“This proactive approach, delivered with a range of partners across the city, is making a real difference for the 3,000 plus people living with dementia in Stoke-on-Trent and is reflected in the recent Good rating we received during the Care Quality Commission’s assessment of our adult social care services.”
National context
This visit forms part of the Commission’s wider programme of evidence sessions and national engagement, which has also included hearing directly from Shared Lives carers.
Shared Lives Plus will continue contributing insight from our programmes and the wider Shared Lives model as the Commission develops its recommendations for the future of adult social care.
