We have welcomed Sarah Murphy to our staff team as our training coordinator. Here we find out more about her… Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I have 22 years of experience working in a variety of social care settings including a community carer for adults with a learning disability, autism…
Congratulations to Aaron on securing a paid, permanent role as a Learning Support Assistant at South Devon College. Aaron will be working within the college’s Learning Opportunities Department, which supports people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). He starts the role in September, working three days a week and is delighted to have been…
We’re delighted to welcome Sandra Fisher‑Martins as our new Deputy CEO and to introduce her to the Shared Lives South West community. With a diverse career spanning healthcare, social impact and climate action, Sandra brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating meaningful change. We caught up with Sandra to learn more about…
A Somerset Shared Lives Carer was honoured to attend a garden party hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla earlier this month at Buckingham Palace. Paul Kendall was given the opportunity by Shared Lives Plus, which selected carers from around the UK to attend who have dedicated years of their lives as carers. Princess Anne…
In the last month, Ellie Hurrell has joined our admin team in the Devon office. She joins us with great energy and a wealth of experience. We thought we’d catch up with Ellie after her first few weeks in post… 1, Can you tell us a little bit about your working background? I joined SLSW…
Understanding What Sits Behind Care When people think about care, they usually think about what they can see. Someone being supported. A conversation. Help with daily routines. That is the visible part. What is less obvious is what sits behind it. The part that does not change from one day to the next. The part…
A Shared Lives Carer and the person they support were called on to help us recruit a big role in the organisation. Ruth Beadle and Aaron spent the day interviewing four candidates as part of the Deputy CEO appointment process. The staff team, trustees and leadership team were all also involved in the lengthy process….
When people think about charities, they rarely think about trustees or volunteers. They usually see the front side of a charity. The care. The support. The people being helped. That is what stands out. And that is fair. What sits behind it is less visible. Learn more about our approach to care . If you…
Shared Lives is a hugely rewarding model. It runs a little like adult fostering throughout the UK, providing behind the scenes stability and encouragement in independence for thousands of adults with support needs from Cornwall all the way through to John o’ Groats. This article aims to answer some FAQ’s to clarify how Shared Lives…
Shared Lives services are for adults who need some support in their lives, but don’t want to move into a traditional formal care setting. It is often seen as an alternative to residential care and supported living. It gives people with care and support needs the chance to be part of an ordinary household, to…