Promoting The Shared Lives Scheme In A Parliamentary Reception

In the back row are Gary and Jo Taylor who are enablers with Ann Mitchinson (middle) who uses the service. In the front are Bethan Williams and Sally Thomas who both use the service with Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Shared Lives scheme in Gwynedd and Anglesey has had an opportunity to promote the work that’s happening on the innovative initiative which supports vulnerable people living with families in a reception at the House of Commons recently. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As part of the reception, the Gwynedd and Anglesey Shared Lives team had the opportunity to discuss the scheme’s benefit with Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP, Liz Saville-Roberts. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Selwyn Lloyd Jones who manages the Shared Lives scheme for Gwynedd Council said:
“We were very proud to be able to explain the scheme’s worth and to highlight how Shared Lives can enable vulnerable people to live with families within their local areas. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The scheme means that families in the community can share their homes and lives with adults with learning disabilities. Shared Lives now offers accommodation in more than 50 locations within Gwynedd and Anglesey, with lives being transformed for the better.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Liz Saville-Roberts MP stated that she was extremely pleased to see such a scheme being implemented in Gwynedd. Following a meeting with three of the individuals who benefit from the service she said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“What made a lasting impression was how much Shared Lives enriched everybody together. People have as much company or privacy as they want, and nobody need ever be alone unless that’s what they want. I can only urge people to learn more, as this arrangement has so much to offer.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gary Taylor from Dolgellau who is one of the Shared Lives scheme enablers, added: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Working with Shared Lives has given us the opportunity to offer support in a safe, warm family environment. We all benefit from the closeness that builds up over the many years we share together and this in turn forms a deep trust and friendship as would be found in any typical family setting.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Do you have the time and the dedication to help care for vulnerable adults in your own home? The Shared Lives scheme in Gwynedd and Anglesey is looking for carers who are willing to open their homes to provide
– a welcome for short periods during the day
– short breaks
– a long-term home. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​