Our Ambassador Abby tells us about life in Shared Lives with her daughter.
“It all started when I was in hospital. During pregnancy everything was fine. The hospital contacted social services and I had a several visits a day, health visitor, midwifery team, specialist parenting team, but it wasn’t working. They had concerns about leaving Isabella with me. They had a right to be worried. Isabella was in a vulnerable position, because no one had taught me to do things.
They wanted to send me to a mother and baby centre, in an area I didn’t know anyone and wouldn’t have been able to see my family. My social worker had worked for Shared Lives in the past and helped me get in. At first it was a bit daunting but I met my Shared Lives carer, Mel, and she was lovely. We just laughed a lot. It was a fresh start, a fresh opportunity.
I always looked after Isabella, I just needed Mel to guide me along, just having someone to be there. Mel offered suggestions, like the need for routine. We come up with ideas together like what’s a good time for the baby to go to bed, reading stories to her.
Isabella is so clever. She goes to nursery, she really likes it. She has made friends, she’s always happy and cheerful. There have been lots of firsts, I took Isabella to parks, to see animals. We have a laugh at home, do game nights and karaoke. Before Shared Lives I wasn’t always happy, I didn’t do a lot. I have a full life now and Isabella is thriving.”
