Former Mayor of Dudley and wife become Shared Lives carers

Their approval means they can continue supporting Corey, a young man they have cared for since he was four years old. Now aged 19, Corey remains living in the same home, surrounded by people who know him well and relationships built over many years.

For Peter and Gloria, becoming Shared Lives carers felt like a natural next step.

As Corey approached adulthood, they became concerned about what turning 18 might mean for his future support and wellbeing. “We were worried about what would happen next,” Peter explained.

The couple were already experienced foster carers, having supported children and young people for many years alongside raising their own family.

Today, family life remains at the centre of everything they do. Alongside his role as a councillor, Peter runs a building business, serves as a school governor and balances family life and caring responsibilities.

After hearing about Shared Lives through family connections and later attending a Shared Lives event hosted by Camphill Village Trust, the couple began exploring whether the model could help them continue providing support as Corey moved into adulthood.

From the start, they felt it was the right fit. “Our Shared Lives scheme made it very easy to go through the process,” Peter said. “The Shared Lives model immediately resonated with us because of its focus on building genuine relationships, which create a stable foundation for young adults based on trust and independence.”

For them, it wasn’t just about continuing to provide care, but making sure Corey could remain in a home he already knew, with people he trusted, while moving into a more independent stage of life.

Peter describes their relationship with Corey as being built on “commitment, support, love and trust” – values he believes are at the heart of Shared Lives.
Day-to-day life now feels more relaxed knowing they have ongoing support through Shared Lives and can continue supporting Corey long term. “It’s made a massive difference knowing he can stay with us,” Peter said.

For many care-experienced young people, turning 18 can bring uncertainty and major changes in support, relationships and routines. Shared Lives can help provide stability and continuity at an important point in adulthood.

In some cases, like Peter and Gloria’s, people already supporting a young person choose to become Shared Lives carers so important relationships can continue into adulthood. However, most Shared Lives carers come from completely different backgrounds. People at different stages of life can become Shared Lives carers, with training, ongoing support and a fee from their local scheme.

The couple now focus on helping Corey continue building confidence and independence while remaining part of their family and community lives. Peter and Gloria support him with meals, appointments, budgeting and everyday responsibilities, while also encouraging him to take on tasks around the home and develop practical life skills for the future.

Taking on everyday tasks gives Corey “a real sense of purpose and inclusion”. Peter and Gloria say he is “not just being supported, he’s contributing to our life together,” with some of the most meaningful moments often being the smallest – seeing someone grow in confidence, develop essential life skills and gain a sense of control over their own life.

Sam Price, Shared Lives Development Worker at Camphill Village Trust, said: “Peter and Gloria recognised that ongoing support would ensure consistency and stability for Corey until he was ready to move on himself. A key part of the process was understanding the shift from fostering to supporting adults, with a focus on enabling Corey to become more independent and learn daily living skills, while the core values around care and respect stayed the same. Shared Lives isn’t just about providing care. It’s about sharing your life, your home and your experiences with someone.”

Peter and Gloria say becoming Shared Lives carers has brought them “a strong sense of purpose and connection within a supportive network”.

Peter now hopes more people will consider whether Shared Lives could work for them too. “Join up – what are you waiting for?” he said.

Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer at startyoursharedlife.today