Shared Lives Wiltshire introduces new day support service - Shared Days!

Shared Lives Wiltshire is broadening its reach so more people can benefit from its ethos of building meaningful relationships with a carer and their family and connecting with their local community.

While Shared Lives carers normally share their homes with the people they support on a long-term or respite basis, Shared Days carers share their days with them. From learning independent skills such as cooking and seeking employment, or pursuing a new hobby, this day support service empowers individuals to build meaningful relationships and do what matters most to them.

Shared Lives is a unique caring arrangement enabling more than 14,000 people nationally with care and support needs,to share their carer's home and family life.

Currently Shared Lives Wiltshire is looking to recruit to the local scheme and promote their new service - Shared Days. Carers will receive guidance and support from the Shared Lives team and are matched with someone based on one another's circumstances and location. This is to ensure that it is an enjoyable, fulfilling and valuable experience for all. Shared Days carers support people in pre-booked sessions.

Shared Lives in Wiltshire will ensure all Shared Days sessions follow COVID-19 restrictions.

The expansion and diversification of Shared Lives Wiltshire is part of the wider transformation of adult social care in Wiltshire. The scheme has an important part to play in helping Wiltshire Council provide more people with opportunities to live their best life.

Cllr Simon Jacobs, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: "Shared Days is an exciting new addition to the Shared Lives service which will provide shorter spells of one to one support and opportunities to help foster independence. We now need people to help us to make this new initiative a real success."

Ryan Iyavoo manager of Shared Lives Wiltshire says, "Shared Days is an exciting and unique service because it can be tailored to the individual - enabling people to exercise choice and independence and forge a meaningful relationship with their carer. As we continue to grow and broaden our reach, Shared Lives is helping us to create a kinder, stronger and more inclusive society."

For more information about Shared Lives Wiltshire please visit their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Shared Days carer or make a referral, please call 01380 826451 or email sharedlives@wiltshire.gov.uk.