Residents Share Their Homes To Support Others

The South East Wales shared Lives scheme has been busy recruiting families who are able to provide care within their home for a new health initiative project. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Shared Lives is a collaborative scheme across Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Merthyr. Tailored to suit both the family and the individual, care can consist of anything from respite care, sessional work or a long-term place to live. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The scheme’s new health initiative project is designed to help prevent hospital admissions, support people who are ready to be discharged from hospital, and support older people who are frail or living with dementia. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Space in your home and time to spend are the only requirements of those who wish to be considered as a shared lives carer. The team recruited 10 families at an event hosted in the summer and all of which have successfully welcomed people into their homes. The team are particularly interested in recruiting those who have ground floor accommodation and are able to provide emergency placements. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet Member for Social Services, Cllr Robin Woodyatt, said, “The Shared Lives scheme has a proven track record of matching those who require long-term care in an environment where they are able to become a part of the fabric of the family. Just as those who require short term and emergency care have the best levels of support to gain back their independence in a safe and friendly home.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He continued, “Huge efforts have been placed on recruitment over the past few months as the scheme is proving to be very popular and well supported by health and medical professionals.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​