Annual Party in the Park Celebrates Shared Lives Scheme

SHARED Lives Carers, those they support, and Tameside Council’s Long-term Support Team gathered for their annual party at Stamford Park to celebrate the scheme and those involved in making it happen.

Each year this event marks Shared Lives Week, always accompanied by lots of laughter, singing, dancing, arts and crafts.

Shared Lives empowers adults with a range of physical, learning and mental health needs to live an independent life in their local community. This means they are matched with a Shared Lives Carer to live with or share their daily life.  

This support can be long-term, respite, or day support. Flexibility allows for unique support to be fitted around the interests of people, so they can live a good life, doing the things they enjoy.

Tameside Council recruit, train, match, and support people over the age of 18 to become Shared Lives Carers. Carers must be flexible, sensitive, tolerant, and patient with a genuine interest in supporting people. No formal qualifications are expected, and they welcome people from different backgrounds, with different skills and life experience.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care Cllr John Taylor said: ‘’Our Shared Lives team have held another fantastic celebration this year for Shared Lives Week, and it is very well deserved.

''Thank you to our Shared Lives Carers and Long-term Support team for the support you provide to people in Tameside through the scheme, you are at the heart of helping people in Tameside to live a good life in the place they call home.’’

Find out more about being a Shared Lives Carer and how the scheme can support adults with a range of needs at www.tameside.gov.uk/sharedlives , calling 0161 342 5151 or email sharedlives@tameside.gov.uk

For Shared Lives Week this year Shared Lives Carer Jackie shared her story of supporting Anne and Mel with respite and live-in support. Read more here and watch their video here.