Overview
'Shared Lives' is an accommodation service that offers adults with care needs the chance to live or stay with trained carers as part of their family.
Shared Lives can benefit anyone who has been assessed as needing support to live their lives.
It can offer:
- an alternative to traditional care homes
- the chance to get support in an ordinary family household
- either long-term accommodation or short breaks
How it works
Support is offered by carefully chosen people – single people, couples or families – called 'Shared Lives Carers'. Each Shared Lives Carer is fully checked, trained and assessed before they can provide accommodation within their own home.
The Shared Lives service in Thurrock is run by a registered community interest company called Bettertogether. Their experienced teams take great care in trying to match an adult who needs support with a Shared Lives Carer they will get on well with.
Bettertogether arranges care agreements and offers support and guidance throughout the time that accommodation is provided. Their service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Who it can help
Shared Lives supports adults who have a wide range of care needs, including:
- learning disabilities
- physical disabilities
- substance misuse
- mental ill health
- brain injury
- dementia
Many people with care needs prefer the idea of living with a Shared Lives Carer as they can take time getting to know them and building a friendly relationship.
Find out how to apply for Shared Lives care.