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 an ‘ordinary family life’. This could be someone with a physical or learning disability, mental health difficulties or an older person.

Could you be a Shared Lives provider?

Shared Lives is open to anyone with the right attitude and genuine desire to make a difference. You could be a couple or single person, a family with or without children, a homeowner or tenant.

Being a Shared Lives provider could be right for you if you:

believe in supporting people to live independently
are nurturing, compassionate and empathetic
have strong organisational skills
have basic digital technology skills or a willingness to learn
are resilient, adaptable and creative
are willing to keep up to date with a range of training and development courses.

Opening your home and welcoming someone into your life and family can help them to:

live a full and enjoyable life
share activities and experiences
feel part of their local community.

The person you support would need their own room or annexe and the choice of sharing mealtimes and other facilities with you and others living in your home.

Accessible housing

We are looking for Shared Lives providers who can offer a home environment that is suitable for people with a range of physical needs. Some people may need ground floor access, step-free or low-step entry, space for mobility aids or walk-in showers.

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:

daily living skills and social activities
support to increase their independence
emotional support and advocacy
personal care and managing medication.

You will have an induction and to complete a range of training including safeguarding, first aid, medication, mental capacity. Other specific training may be needed to support some people, eg epilepsy. Training will be ongoing so you keep up to date with best practice.

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 from our Shared Lives team and conversations with both parties, before a match goes ahead. Visits can include sharing a family meal or an overnight stay, depending on what works best for everyone. If you'd like more information about the process, please get in touch.

We are looking for a range of different people, properties and locations to join Shared Lives, particularly around Eastbourne, Hailsham, Newhaven and Peacehaven areas.