There is no typical day in a Shared Lives household. While every household is unique, at its heart Shared Lives is ordinary family life built around relationships, routine, community, and a sense of belonging.
There are care requirements that the carer must follow, but the joy of Shared Lives is giving quality care at your own pace, in your own home.
In this article, we explore what a typical day looks like in a Shared Lives household. Read on to see how it could unfold for you.
Does a Shared Lives household spend all its time together?
Usually in a Shared Lives household, carers and the people they support spend lots of time in each other’s company. However, that doesn’t mean every second is spent together. Each household is different, and downtime is important for everyone.
A typical day usually begins much like any other household. People wake up in their own bedrooms, enjoy breakfast together, and chat about the day ahead. For some, mornings may include help with personal care, taking medication, or getting dressed, depending on the support they need. Others may be more independent and simply enjoy the company of their Shared Lives Carer over a cuppa.
Households often have a routine. Some feed pets in the morning (Shared Lives Carers have a lot of love to give and many have pets), tidy up, or plan what to do later. Promoting and maintaining independence is key: Carers support people to achieve goals, from making lunch to travel training.
In the evening, households cook as a shared activity and split chores like chopping veggies for tea, setting the table, or deciding what’s on the menu.
After dinner, the household might watch TV, play games, or simply unwind. Some people may want to spend time in their room, and that’s perfectly fine. The focus is on feeling safe, relaxed, and like they are part of the household, all while receiving quality care.
How does a Shared Lives Carer support someone to be independent?
Shared Lives Carers support the person they care for to access the community and become part of local groups. The aim is to build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections.
Some people attend work, college, volunteering, or day services. Others may enjoy classes or groups such as gardening, walking, or art sessions.
Many people spend time at home with their carer, doing activities like cooking, crafts, watching a favourite programme, or meeting friends locally. Shared Lives is all about choice: You decide how you spend your day.
Carers also help people engage with their local community, whether that’s popping to the shops or visiting local cafés.
Why does Shared Lives work so well?
For many people, the most important part of Shared Lives isn’t the activities they do, but the sense of belonging they feel. They are not “placed” somewhere; they are part of a household with relationships that matter.
At its core, Shared Lives is about people living their fullest lives with confidence and joy. Every Shared Lives household is unique, but at its heart it’s about ordinary life, meaningful relationships, and having a place to call home.
We hope you’ve found this article interesting and informative. Find out more about the services we offer by browsing our website on this page. If it interests you to become a Shared Lives Carer, visit our ‘Become a Carer’ page. Support us by following our social media channels, Facebook and Instagram. It’s the best place to read inspirational stories and see Shared Lives in action.