There are four categories you can enter, by nominating yourself or someone who’s been the plus – and made a difference – for you.

Send us a two minute film (on your phone is fine). You can also send 300 words about why the person you are nominating deserves to win.

Your nomination must be supported by all three:

• another Shared Lives carer
• your scheme manager
• someone who lives with or visits a Shared Lives carer.
• If you can’t ask someone from each category, ask another person – we hope that nominations will involve a range of people, but if that’s tricky, don’t let it hold you back!

Please send their names, contact details and a few words about why they support your entry.

Enter by 10am Monday 9 September 2019.

Send your entries to press@sharedlivesplus.org.uk with the subject line: Award entry – your name and category.

We will announce the winners at our big knees up awards ceremony dinner on the first night of our UK conference Wednesday 6 November – which we invite everyone to attend.

Award categories

• Outstanding Shared Lives carer of the year
• The human rights award for free expression
• Shared Lives champion of the year
• The award for scheme innovation

Outstanding Shared Lives carer of the year – awarded to a carer who has gone above and beyond to improve outcomes and community connections for those they support

The judging panel are looking for:

• Most impact and improved outcomes for the people they support
• Shows that their community connections benefit the person they support
• Preferably from a scheme taking part in My Shared Life outcomes tool
• Preferably from a scheme using the Ambassador’s Test and Charter – we want schemes to put Shared Lives carers and people you support front and centre of your practice – but we would still love your nomination if you’re from a scheme that hasn’t signed up to the charter yet!

The human rights award for free expression – awarded to a person supported by a Shared Lives carer for speaking their mind, growing in confidence and living the life they choose.

The judging panel are looking for:

• For someone, supported by a Shared Lives carer, who has enjoyed expressing themselves, speaking their mind, growing in confidence, building positive relationships and living the life they choose.

For example, have you:

• Surprised your Shared Lives carer
• Learnt to express your view even when you don’t agree
• Developed a skill, hobby or passion that you discovered recently?
• Made friends and connections with your community
• Fulfilled a lifelong ambition

Shared Lives champion of the year – an award in each nation

The judging panel are looking for: Shared Lives carers or scheme workers from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England who has promoted Shared Lives most in their area leading to measurable difference in one or more of these areas:

• stronger community connections
• recruited more carers
• higher profile
• more commissioner support.

The award for scheme innovation

The judging panel are looking for: the scheme that has changed most to develop Shared Lives for new people or demonstrated a co-produced approach to developing and improving its service.

• For example, the scheme that has changed most to develop Shared Lives for new groups of people, for example, mental health, home from hospital, young people, or made significant improvements to their practice.

For any questions, please contact the communications team, press@sharedlivesplus.org.uk or 0151 227 3499.