Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley Hosts Parliamentary Event to Champion Innovative Shared Lives Care Model

December 1st, 2025 by Dawn Gillingwater | Posted in News |

Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley has demonstrated his strong support for Teignbridge-based charity Shared Lives South West by hosting an event in Parliament to showcase the organisation’s innovative approach to adult social care.

Shared Lives South West – rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission -supports adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and age-related conditions by matching them with trained carers. These carers open their homes to provide personalised support that promotes independence, in a model often likened to adult fostering.

MPs from across the political spectrum, including Jeremy Corbyn and Kit Malthouse, attended the event, alongside representatives from the Casey Commission, established by the Government to explore social care reform in England.

Praised the care model

Martin opened the event and was joined by MP Anna Dixon who praised the care model.

Shared Lives South West CEO Dominic Spayne and carer Ian Richardson delivered keynote talks, joined by Shared Lives Plus CEO Ewan King and representatives from Shared Lives organisations across the country.

Martin Wrigley a committed advocate

Martin Wrigley has been a committed advocate for the charity since meeting Dominic Spayne on a podcast 18 months ago. Since then, he has hosted a meeting with the organisation in his constituency office and visited a Shared Lives household in Dawlish to see the model in action.

Speaking after the event, Martin Wrigley said:

“I was so pleased to welcome Shared Lives South West to Parliament. The Shared Lives model is a win-win solution for social care with proven and known benefits for carers and the people in need of care. I believe more local authorities should be working to support this model for social care across the UK.”

How the Government can help

Dominic Spayne added:

“Martin has been extremely supportive and the event helped us get Shared Lives on the agenda and promote it to the powers that be. We discussed how we want to grow Shared Lives, the barriers we face, and how the Government can help.”

Shared Lives South West hopes the event will help drive greater national recognition and support for the scheme, enabling more adults across the UK to benefit from this life-changing model of care.