Shared Lives South West is celebrating the news that Cornwall SLSW Carer Sarah O’Shea has won a top award at the CAHSC Learning Partnership Care and Support Awards.
She took home the Outstanding Supported Housing Award at the CAHSC Learning Partnership Cornwall Care and Support Awards.

The gala evening took place at the Headland Hotel, Newquay on Friday.

When she collected the award, Sarah said she ‘made the best decision of her life’ becoming a SLSW carer 12 years ago.

Over time, Sarah has worked a lot with young people who used their Shared Lives South West placement as a stepping stone to independent living.

She decided she wanted to become a carer with the organisation after having a second child and not wanting to miss out on them growing up.

“I looked into fostering and then heard about Shared Lives,” she said.

“My parents ran a care home when I was growing up and I have worked in care all my life. Being a carer with Shared Lives seemed perfect as I could be with my family. I also now have an extended family-  the people I support.”

In more recent years she has supported Alan and Janet in her home. They are aged 65 and 70 respectively.

“They are very settled and it’s different to supporting them to the young people.  I do enjoy it just as much though,” she said.

“I’ve also recently started as a Home from Hospital carer where I help someone out of hospital to recuperate.”

Sarah is featured around five minutes into the video…

MORE AWARD NEWS

Hot on the news Sarah won the Care and Support Award, she  is also shortlisted for an award at the South West final of the GB Care Awards. Read more here.

She will find out if she has won the Putting People First Award at Ashton Gate Stadium. It takes place on October 25.

Team Leader Anne Bilham is also up for a gong in the The Home Care Registered Manager award category.