These workshops were held during our 2020 conference
Please choose one workshop from 2A – 2E
2A Getting the right support – The intersection of disability and abuse, managing risk and planning for safety. – Ali Miller Shared Lives Plus
Disabled people disproportionately experience domestic abuse, but there are few services which meet the needs of survivors with support needs. Likewise, health and social care provisions rarely have the expertise to support survivors of domestic abuse holistically. In this workshop we will look at how shared living can redress the inequalities for disabled survivors. We will explore how to support people’s safety in shared living by involving the right professionals and using the tools available to us.
2B Creative problem solving – Mark Gallagher Shared Lives Plus
Join Mark to learn about a powerful approach to creative problem solving, which anyone can do. Participants will learn a process for quickly getting to the root of problems and working with others to solve them in a clear and focused way. You will leave this practical session with the necessary confidence, tools and skills to:
Sessions are limited to ten participants, as this process works most effectively with smaller groups. We will run the session several times over conference.
2C Tax for small businesses – ask the expert – Judith Dugdale, Head of Digital Solutions, Moore and Smalley
Judith Dugdale Head of Digital Solutions at MHA Moore and Smalley will deliver a session on the digital tools available to the small companies and CICs who run shared lives and homeshare schemes. Judith will focus on how digital tools like Quickbooks Online and Xero can help save time, track your income and costs, and help plan potential tax bills. Judith will also cove some of the tax rules surrounding companies and will be available to answer your queries on either aspect of the workshop.
2D Independent carer groups – let’s connect – Lynne Harrison and Shared Lives Champions Helen Piscioneri, Steve Collis and Andy Cooke, Shared Lives Plus
Shared Lives Plus believes that independent Shared Lives carer support groups in each scheme can be invaluable in resolving issues and improving services. Support groups enable people to work together to solve problems.
In this workshop we will talk about how being part of a support group has helped Shared Lives carers speak collectively through elected representatives or spokespeople. In this way individuals can draw attention to particular issues without feeling vulnerable or exposed. We will put you in touch with your local independent carer group or give you the tools to start your own.
We will show you how being part of a support group can help Shared Lives carers feel less alone and more understood. Support can come in the form of conversation and sharing experiences and resources or by simply listening to others.
2E Supporting parents in Shared Lives arrangements – Anna McEwen Shared Lives Plus, Jane Butler and Nathan Fitzpatrick The Law Centre Network
The Law Centre Network have been supporting Shared Lives Plus to write guidance for Shared Lives schemes on the legal aspects of supporting parents in Shared Lives arrangements. This workshop will present that guidance and give you an opportunity to think through how you might support parents within your scheme. We’ll also hear some real examples from schemes who’ve supported parents.
2F Mental health in young men – Mark Brown and Tom Milnes
This workshop is an opportunity to join an open and inclusive discussion about mental health, young men and what we can all do to help the people we care about when they’re going through hard times. Join Tom Milnes and Mark Brown, who both have their own experiences of mental health difficulty to discuss practical things we can all do to make other’s most difficult times easier.
2G Applying Human Rights with the British Institute of Human Rights – Eilidh Turnbull BIHR
During this workshop, the British Institute of Human Rights will share knowledge of how human rights apply every day here in the UK. The workshop will support you with information about your rights and the rights of people you care about when accessing or working with public services. The workshop will use real life stories and examples. It will be interactive, so you’ll have a chance to ask questions or share your own experiences with human rights during Covid19 and beyond.
2H Your wellbeing matters – What do you need? – Anna Gillions bild
Life can be stressful at times, and even if we don’t feel like it’s impacting us directly, the pandemic can create underlying anxiety. In roles where we care for others, it’s easy for our needs to take a back seat.
In this interactive workshop we will be exploring our natural reactions to stress and anxiety and discussing tools and techniques we can use to look after ourselves and get the support we need. There will be an opportunity to start to develop your own wellbeing plan as well as guided mindfulness and breathing exercises.
2I Medication support in a Shared Lives Setting – Celia Osuagwu, Medicines Optimisation Team Care Quality Commission
Celia Osuagwu is a Pharmacist Specialist and a member of the Medicines Optimisation Team (MOT) at the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Celia is also part of the Adult Social Care Network (ASCN) – a group of Pharmacists at the CQC who’s work focuses on Adult Social Care. The MOT continually promotes the fair and consistent regulation of medicines across health and social care.
In light of the ongoing pandemic, the ASCN are focused on supporting providers to navigate the pressures of the COVID-19 response in relation to medicines optimisation in social care.
This session will be a presentation covering:
