Posts by Dawn Gillingwater

web2 - Shared Lives South West is the first care organisation to host the Casey Commission

Shared Lives South West is the first care organisation to host the Casey Commission

Shared Lives South West was honoured to welcome representatives from Baroness Casey’s Independent Commission on Adult Social Care to its Devon office this week, becoming the first care organisation to host the team as part of their national review into adult social care. The Commission, appointed by the UK Government, is undertaking a comprehensive review…

Rich Ware e1747749160692 1024x1024 - Shared Lives Coordinator Rich Ware has joined our Cornwall staff team

Shared Lives Coordinator Rich Ware has joined our Cornwall staff team

The Cornwall Shared Lives South West team has a new member of staff.  Rich Ware joined us this week as a Shared Lives Coordinator. We had a quick chat with him to find out more about him… Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I was born and raised in Cornwall, but…

Sally Smith,. SLC, with team leaders Ed Bunce-Phillips and Rose Gapper at her leaving party. Sally is pictured with flowers and Rose with a box of chocolates.

Shared Lives Coordinator Sally retires after 20 years of service

This week, we bid farewell to Shared Lives Coordinator, Sally Smith, after an incredible 20 years of service. When Sally first started, Shared Lives was a small organisation operating in Devon. “At the time, Devon County Council was transferring small residential homes with three or fewer people to Shared Lives, and that’s how the organisation…

David, is pictured with his award given to him by Teignmouth Town Council

David wins Mayor’s Recognition Award from Teignmouth Town Council

David, who uses our services, is celebrating receiving the Mayor’s Recognition Award from Teignmouth Town Council. He won the ‘Individual Excellence Award’ for being an exemplary community member and volunteering countless hours to support many local initiatives and good causes. Shared Lives Carer He moved in with Shared Lives Carer Annie in 2018, who has…

Donna Bounden Funding and benefits team leader smiling

Funding and benefits team Leader Donna celebrates 20 years at Shared Lives

Shared Lives South West Funding and Benefits Team Leader Donna Bounden has now celebrated her 20th anniversary with the organisation. She’s seen the charity grow from very humble beginnings and been part of it growing and evolving, with it now operating across three counties and five local authorities. “I’ve had the opportunity to lead the…

Carol in lace sleeved wedding dress with Ivor dressed in a blue suit on their wedding day. Sat smiling.

Valentine’s Day treat for Shared Lives couple Ivor & Carol

Shared Lives South West couple Ivor and Carol are looking forward to making Valentine’s Day extra special. They are planning to go to The Castle Hotel, Taunton, for high tea this Valentine’s Day. “You have to look out for your partner,” said Ivor. “Think about what they need and keep loving them,” added Carol. Ivor,…

maria 1 - BLOG: Funding and benefits team support helps Maria to thrive

BLOG: Funding and benefits team support helps Maria to thrive

Shared Lives South West is committed to promoting independence together with work and volunteering opportunities for those supported.  Supporting an individual to do this requires the carer, the Shared Lives South West funding and benefits team and their Shared Lives Coordinator to work closely together. The funding and benefits team can support with the first…

Shared Lives South West hosts afternoon tea for 20th anniversary

Afternoon tea for Shared Lives South West’s 20th anniversary

The Shared Lives South West Somerset team celebrated the charity’s 20th anniversary with an afternoon tea event, hosted at their base at Eaglewood Park, Dillington. The occasion brought together Shared Lives Carers, their households, staff, trustees, and Ilminster Mayor Cllr Brian Hamilton to celebrate two decades impactful service. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission,…

Sophie Essex Community Engagement Officer

We welcome Community Engagement Officer Sophie Essex to Shared Lives South West

We have welcomed Sophie Essex in a new position at Shared Lives South West. Based in the Cornwall office, her role as a Community Engagement Officer, will focused on being out in the community to promote Shared Lives and Carer recruitment at various events. We caught up with her just after she started…   What…

image00001web - Em celebrates having more independence by passing her driving test

Em celebrates having more independence by passing her driving test

Em, who is supported by Shared Lives Carers Kathy and Steve Lee, has shown true determination and has overcome many challenges to pass both her theory and practical driving tests. Despite struggling with her theory test and taking it 16 times, she didn’t give up and finally passed the exam. “I didn’t realise that she…