Shared Lives Lewisham

What is Shared Lives?

Shared Lives connects people with care needs and a trained carer who will help and support in developing new skills, as well as enjoying fun experiences together in their home. This could be for a few days, weeks, or long term.

Could you become a Shared Lives carer?

Are you looking to make a positive impact on someone's life? If so, consider becoming an approved Shared Lives carer. No matter your relationship status, age, or whether you own or rent your home, you can play a vital role in supporting those who require support. 

What matters is your passion for supporting people to live as independently as possible as part of your family. Carers are self-employed and are paid weekly, as well as receiving tax benefits.

You need a spare bedroom, and a desire to make a positive difference to someone’s life. We provide all the training you’ll need. We assess, train, and support you to work flexibly in your home.

Our team will carefully match people with carers and provide support, advice and monitoring to ensure that placements are successful. We can also assist with access to other services and professionals in Lewisham and provide regular support meetings with other carers.

Register today; transform people’s lives and your own too.

Can Shared Lives support you?

If you’re an adult that needs some extra support, you may be able to access Shared Lives.

You could be someone living with long term health conditions, mental health needs a learning disability, or autism.

You’ll be able to live with a Shared Lives carer who will share experiences with you and help you work towards living more independently.

How we match people in Shared Lives

Creating strong matches and good introductions is important for making sure that safe and lasting connections are formed. It helps Shared Lives carers and individuals looking for support to get to know one another better. Individuals will have a choice of Shared Lives carers to stay or live with, and will be supported to get to know each other at their own pace before settling in.

We gather information during the referral process, allowing us to understand what each person needs and hopes for in their Shared Lives journey.

Some of the areas include:

• personal interests of the individual and the Shared Lives carer
• an individual’s goals
• the location of the Shared Lives carers home
• the cultures and faiths that are important to you and Shared Lives carer

We can support an introductory meeting, which can take place at the Shared Lives carer's home, in the community, or at your home—wherever the person being referred feels most comfortable. We support an introductory meeting so you can get to know each other a little better and find a perfect match.

These meetings can be conducted at your own pace, whether it's having a cup of tea or enjoying dinner together, before trying an overnight stay.

How to access Shared Lives Lewisham

If you thinking Shared Lives sounds like the right fit for you or a family member with support needs, your social worker can make a referral on your behalf. Or if you’d like to find out more from a team member, we’d be happy to have an informal chat.

A person from Shared Lives Lewisham would then like to come and meet you, to find out more about you and what you would like, and for you to be able to ask us any questions that you may have.

To learn more about Shared Lives, please speak with a member of our team.
Email: Sharedlives@lewisham.gov.uk, call 0208 314 9460 or register your interest.