International Women’s Day: women building friendship and belonging through Shared Lives

Across the UK, women are building strong relationships through Shared Lives arrangements – welcoming people into family life, sharing time in their communities and supporting one another in ways that make a lasting difference.

Here are three stories showing how women support one another through Shared Lives.

Stephanie Kenny from Belfast is a Shared Lives carer with the Families Matter Shared Lives service at Positive Futures. Through Shared Lives, she supports Anne, and over time their connection has grown into a close friendship.

Stephanie and her husband first became involved in family-based support when they were foster carers.

“We were foster carers with the Trust,” Stephanie explains. “The young man we supported came to us for respite when he was eight. When he became an adult, we moved over to Positive Futures, which is part of Shared Lives.”

Stephanie and Anne later met at a scheme event.

“Anne came on the scene one day when we met her at an event. We liked her straight away, and her social worker suggested she might come into our lives as well.”

For Stephanie, being a Shared Lives carer has brought far more than she expected.

“The people we support have given more to us than we’ve ever given to them. We just love having them in our lives.”

Stephanie believes what matters most is openness and kindness.

“You don’t really need special skills. You just need love, a big heart and an open home.”

“Anne is a very good friend now and we have a lovely time together. I just love her company.”

Watch a video featuring Stephanie and Anne’s relationship:

In Bolton, Zarina and her Shared Lives carer Rozmin (pictured) share a weekly routine that supports both wellbeing and time together.

They attend a yoga session at the Asian Elders Club in Bolton. Zarina is supported through Bolton Shared Lives, run by Bolton Cares.

The gentle movements and calming techniques help Zarina relax and support her mental health. Just as important is the time they spend together. Sharing the sessions has become something they both look forward to each week.

Through Enfield Shared Lives, Susan and Anne enjoy spending time out together, visiting coffee shops and trying different restaurants.

Anne says Susan quickly became part of the family.

“Susan fits in with the family so well and everyone loves her.”

One particularly memorable outing was a family trip to Wimpy. The whole family came along, including a new baby who was just three months old at the time.

Wimpy is one of Susan and Anne’s favourite places to visit together, which made the day even more meaningful.

Stories like these show how Shared Lives relationships grow through everyday life – spending time together, supporting one another and being part of family life.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer, please visit startyoursharedlife.today