Gateshead residents encouraged to find out more about becoming Shared Lives carers
People living in Gateshead with a spare room and an interest in caring for our communities are being encouraged to find out more about Shared Lives carers.
Throughout Shared Lives Week (13-17 June) Gateshead Council will be raising awareness of Shared Lives and celebrating its Shared Lives carers for supporting adults with additional needs to live thriving, independent lives.
Shared Lives is a service that matches adults with additional needs with an approved Shared Lives Carer, who shares their home and community life, to support the vulnerable adult to live their very highest quality of life. It gives them the opportunity to live in a family environment instead of staying in a residential facility or being looked after by support workers.
The Council currently has over Shared Lives carers who live across the borough from all types of backgrounds, including former foster carers and those who consider Shared Lives to be their livelihood.
Shared Lives carers do not require any formal qualifications and Gateshead Council are seeking to encourage anyone who thinks they have the qualities to care to come forward and find out more about becoming a carer during Shared Lives Week.
Councillor Michael McNestry, cabinet member for Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council, said: "We're extremely proud of everything our Shared Lives carers do for our communities in Gateshead. Shared Lives Week is a chance for us to say thank you to our amazing carers who support adults with additional needs to thrive.
"Shared Lives can make all the difference in the world for someone in need of additional support. For those who live with long-term carers in particular, it helps them to feel at home and part of a family for what may be the first time in their lives. Outside of the home environment, they are also supported by the wider Shared Lives community to make friends and join clubs, which helps to build confidence and encourages independent living.
"While we celebrate our carers, it's also important to take the opportunity to raise awareness of Shared Lives, which may be new to many. A livelihood that means you can support our communities, work from home and spend more time with loved ones is very desirable for many across Gateshead and if this sounds like what you've been looking for then we would love to hear from you."
Anyone interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer can attend one of the Council's virtual information events scheduled throughout June, July and August for more information.
The next information event will be held on Tuesday 21 June between 11am and 12pm.
To register your interest, visit Virtual Shared Lives information events.
People living in Gateshead with a spare room and an interest in caring for our communities are being encouraged to find out more about Shared Lives carers.
Throughout Shared Lives Week (13-17 June) Gateshead Council will be raising awareness of Shared Lives and celebrating its Shared Lives carers for supporting adults with additional needs to live thriving, independent lives.
Shared Lives is a service that matches adults with additional needs with an approved Shared Lives Carer, who shares their home and community life, to support the vulnerable adult to live their very highest quality of life. It gives them the opportunity to live in a family environment instead of staying in a residential facility or being looked after by support workers.
The Council currently has over Shared Lives carers who live across the borough from all types of backgrounds, including former foster carers and those who consider Shared Lives to be their livelihood.
Shared Lives carers do not require any formal qualifications and Gateshead Council are seeking to encourage anyone who thinks they have the qualities to care to come forward and find out more about becoming a carer during Shared Lives Week.
Councillor Michael McNestry, cabinet member for Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council, said: "We're extremely proud of everything our Shared Lives carers do for our communities in Gateshead. Shared Lives Week is a chance for us to say thank you to our amazing carers who support adults with additional needs to thrive.
"Shared Lives can make all the difference in the world for someone in need of additional support. For those who live with long-term carers in particular, it helps them to feel at home and part of a family for what may be the first time in their lives. Outside of the home environment, they are also supported by the wider Shared Lives community to make friends and join clubs, which helps to build confidence and encourages independent living.
"While we celebrate our carers, it's also important to take the opportunity to raise awareness of Shared Lives, which may be new to many. A livelihood that means you can support our communities, work from home and spend more time with loved ones is very desirable for many across Gateshead and if this sounds like what you've been looking for then we would love to hear from you."
Anyone interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer can attend one of the Council's virtual information events scheduled throughout June, July and August for more information.
The next information event will be held on Tuesday 21 June between 11am and 12pm.
To register your interest, visit Virtual Shared Lives information events.
