Shared Lives Service Users

• Who uses the Scheme?
• How would you benefit from Shared Lives?
• Who are Shared Lives carers?
• How do you contact the Scheme?
• What happens next?

Who uses the Scheme?

The Scheme covers:

• Older people
• People with a physical or visual disability or who are Deaf or hard of hearing
• People with a learning disability
• People with mental health problems
• People who use drugs or alcohol
• People with HIV or AIDS

How would you benefit from Shared Lives?

Shared Lives carers are there to support you either in their own home or in the community to:

• Have a rest or break
• Learn new skills
• Re-learn old skills
• Make new friends
• Live more independently
• Take part in activities

People who use the service say:

"Shared Lives gives me space to be on my own but I know (P) is there when I need her"

"I don't want to live in a residential home but sometimes I feel very low. Staying with a family for a few days really cheers me up."

"My Shared Lives carer has taught me to use a microwave to cook my dinner."

"Shared Lives gets me out of my house and is somewhere worthwhile to go. I enjoy going to my carer's and being with her family"

"My Shared Lives carer takes me out shopping so I can choose my own things."

More personal experiences

Who are Shared Lives carers?

They are ordinary people from the local community who have been checked thoroughly and trained to give support to people using the scheme. Find more detailed information on the role of Shared Lives Carers and how to become one.

How do you contact the Scheme?

To find out if you could benefit from the Scheme, please contact your Key Worker or Social Worker (if you already have one). Alternatively contact the Shared Lives Scheme and they will give you further information.

What happens next?

If it's agreed that you can use the Scheme, a Shared Lives Officer will talk with you and your worker to get to know you better and understand your needs. This is so we can match you to the right Shared Lives Carer.

Before a placement goes ahead, the person to be placed, their family (if relevant) and the Shared Lives Carers are introduced and meet over a period of time, getting to know each other. A placement doesn't go ahead until everyone involved is happy about the arrangement.

If at any time during a placement, things aren't working out, other arrangements will be made.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Tameside  Shared Lives  Scheme Frederick House Dunkirk Lane Hyde SK14 4QD  View local map
0161 342 5151
0161 342 5256