What is Shared Lives?
The Shared Lives goal is an ‘ordinary family life’ – for everyone.
Shared lives providers support people who may find it hard to live on their own to have that ‘ordinary family life’. This could be an older person, someone with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health problems.
Could you be a Shared Lives provider?
Shared Lives is open to anybody who has the right attitude.
You would offer a room in your home and a welcome into your family, helping someone to:
- live a full and enjoyable life
- share activities and experiences
- feel part of their local community.
They would need their own room and the choice of sharing mealtimes and other facilities with others living in your home.
How does it work?
Being a Shared Lives provider is different to having lodgers or renting out a room.
Self-employed and paid by the council, Shared Lives providers receive allowances for rent, food and utilities as well as ongoing training and support to help people with:
- social activities
- support to increase their independence
- personal care
- managing medication.
How are people matched?
Each person that needs somewhere to live will have a support plan for their needs and wishes. Care providers' needs and wishes are also considered, along with location and type of property.
We match personalities and establish ‘house rules’, pairing people together carefully.
There will be several visits, and conversations with both parties, before the match goes ahead.
We need a range of different people, properties and locations.
Contact us
We'd love to hear from you!
Whether you’re ready to apply or you’re just thinking about it, please get in touch:
- Online: Shared Lives enquiry form
- Phone: 01323 747415
There is no obligation to commit to anything by contacting us, we are here to help you decide if the Shared Lives scheme is right for you.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The scheme is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who rated it as 'Good' on 10 April 2020.
Report: East Sussex Shared Lives Scheme - Care Quality Commission.
