Michael White has joined our board of trustees. Here he tells us a little about his career history and why he decided to become a trustee… Please tell us about the experience and skills you bring into the organisation on our board of trustees? I have worked in the charity and social enterprise sector since…

After years of careful planning, Paul is finally moving into his own flat. For a long time, Paul has been collecting items to furnish his new home for when it was time to move on from Shared Lives South West. His dream has now become a reality… Paul, was fostered by Kim and Chad Chadfield…

Mollie’s story has been used as part of the white paper on social care reform on the Department of Health and Social Care website. A white paper is a government document that outlines a policy or strategy, and often includes proposals for legislation. Mollie moved in with her SLSW Carer Mae Playdell-Pearce a few months ago…

Abby is celebrating after receiving a prize at the Shared Lives Plus national awards. Abby was Highly Commended in the Human Rights Award for Free Expression category after being nominated by her SLSW Carer, SLC, other SLSW Carers aswell as people who use SLSW services. Since moving in with her SLSW Carer Mel Thomas in…

SLC Lesley Saunders has retired from SLSW after more than 15 years service. Based in the Cornwall office, she has seen the charity grow and evolve in that time. Along the way, Lesley’s main focus has been supporting and monitoring SLSW placements. “I’ve enjoyed finding out about a person who wants to live with a…

You never know what you can do until you try… Paul moved to in with SLSW Carers Brian and Sheila Baker about four years ago and it is fair to say he had his challenges, but with a little bit of encouragement and support, he gradually discovered he was interested in woodwork. In the last…

Lockdowns have been challenging time for all of us. However for Josh, he can take something positive from the time and has forged new friendships thanks to his short breaks with SLSW Carer Zoe Ridler in Somerset. Friendships To help him feel at ease and comfortable he first went for two day visits before staying…

As part of Dementia Action Week (May 17-23) we caught up with SLC Sarah Casey who is extremely knowledgable about Dementia and is a Dementia Champion… Why did you decide to become a Dementia Champion? When I joined Shared Lives a number of individuals that lived with carers that I supported had a diagnosis of…

We have welcomed Edward Bunce-Phillips to as the new Mid Team Leader. Edward has vast experience with Shared Lives. Not only has he grown up in a Shared Live South West household, he has also been a Shared Lives South West Carer. Now he wears a different hat for Shared Lives as part of the…

Rose Gapper has joined us as a Team Leader. Let’s find out more about her… What were you doing before joining SLSW? I have worked in the health and social care sector for nearly 20 years, I have been a registered manager for the last seven years. My previous role was a regional manager for…