Shared Lives proves that family matters

Groundbreaking scheme recruiting families to care for elderly local people who may otherwise struggle to receive appropriate care

DYNAMIC DUO: Caroline and Gary Reid

A GROUND-BREAKING initiative that is recruiting families to care for elderly local people who may otherwise struggle to receive appropriate care, has turned to black families to assist in the effort which aims to alleviate the social care crisis.

Shared Lives, run on behalf of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in the Black Country area of the West Midlands, has reached out to diverse communities throughout the region and recruited six BAME families among its now 18 households.

Although figures for the local scheme are relatively small in comparison, their upward trajectory is a reflection of wider national statistics according to Skills for Care (2019), where the BAME population represents 21% of the adult social care workforce in England.

Model

Whilst the £8bn slashed from local government social care budgets since 2010 continue to take their toll, the Shared Lives model is seen as a cost-effective alternative to other traditional care settings, saving up to £1m for every 100 people supported in comparison.

Shared Lives’ referrals are matched on either a live-in, short-break or day support basis. The initiative aims to prioritise supporting the cared-for persons to develop the practical, social and emotional skills to lead as independent a life as possible, whilst remaining at the heart of the community. Currently through Shared Lives across England, approximately 12,500 people are being supported by just over 9,000 carers.

Married couple Caroline and Gary Reid from the Sandwell area are among those families, having been approved as Shared Lives carers just over a year ago.

After several introductory visits, they have been matched with a local woman who has a learning disability and was previously living in residential care after her mother’s death.

Caroline, 52, told The Voice: “I’ve spent most of my working life in social care and would all too often come across very helpless people who were sad, isolated and in need of genuine attention, it broke my heart as I wanted to bring everyone home with me.

“When I found out about Shared Lives, I was shocked as to why I hadn’t heard of it before, but immediately I jumped in with both feet, I just knew the ethos was going to be the perfect fit for my family.

“The scheme was very clear from the start that we wouldn’t necessarily receive black referrals, which was never a concern anyway. 

“In the first few weeks of the arrangement, we’ve been proved it was such the right decision and we have seen Meg achieve so much in her communication, confidence around others and willingness to participate in family life, especially listening and moving to Gary’s old reggae rock!”

Gary, 56, added: “Although Shared Lives was initially Caroline’s idea, having Meg come to live with us has made us more appreciative of our rich, diverse family.

“When growing up, my parents were very much at the centre of our neighbourhood, the door was always open, and my mum’s Saturday soup was shared with all.

“We would truly encourage everyone to explore Shared Lives further”

Gary Reid

“We would truly encourage everyone to explore Shared Lives further, there’s an amazing sense of self-worth, to know you are giving something back to the wider community.

“For me, there is also a real need to have positive black role models for our younger generations in today’s world of negative stereotypes.

“The saying whatever you give, will be returned tenfold, is absolutely true of Shared Lives and we feel very blessed to have this opportunity to share our family life.”

BLESSED: The pair have done sterling work in the Midlands

The carer assessment process which involves an enhanced DBS check, employment/life history and references, can take between three to six months before being approved by an independent panel.

Provide

By being part of a registered scheme, Shared Lives carers are paid according to the level of support they provide, up to £570 per week, and because of their self-employed status, also qualify for tax relief.

Shared Lives is run by the national Camphill Village Trust charity. Huw John, chief executive, said: “It is vitally important for the workforce of any not-for-profit organisation to reflect the demographics of the communities in which it wishes to serve.

“Shared Lives’ co-productive ethos of living and sharing life together, resonates with our founding principles and the nearly 600 people we already support with learning and other disabilities, throughout our 10 existing services and communities nationwide.”

Registered Manager, Kate Morgan of Camphill Village Trust, said: “Since we have established the scheme across Dudley and surrounding Black Country area, we have been tremendously successful and are now supervising 40 households.

“We believe Shared Lives appeals to particular households which appreciate a sense of community, self-empowerment and strong connections to wider family networks.

“We believe Shared Lives appeals to particular households which appreciate a sense of community”

Kate Morgan of Camphill Village Trust

“We are just overwhelmed with the response, and we always wished the mix of our carers to be representative of diverse neighbourhoods in which they live.

“Shared Lives provides a great opportunity for individuals with the right values and commitment, to develop a social care career, in what is such a rewarding role.

“It really does challenge the assumptions of what people who require extra support can achieve whilst living within the comfort of an ordinary home, but with extra-ordinary carers.”

Comments Form

2 Comments

  1. | Dean Barnshaw

    Excellent story during difficult times, I think there is even a greater sense of community given the current crisis, so Shared Lives resonates with families more than ever.

    Reply

  2. | Caroline reid

    I hope that when you read this story you will realise that even people of the BAME community are very isolated and in need of support also would love to become part of a family as I have seen it on the forefront open your doors even if it’s for rest bite it’s so rewarding.

    Reply

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