Around Ealing around_ealing_dec-jan-2018 | Page 19
SHARED LIVES
Sharon and Fiona
Time to
share
your life?
Sharon and Fiona have
shared their lives for two
years, through a council
scheme that places
adults with local families.
Fiona comes to stay with
Sharon regularly.
T
hey came together through
Ealing Shared Lives, which
has been run by Ealing
Council for 24 years. It is a
flexible scheme that places adults who
have extra needs with local families
– either to live with them or to spend
some regular time together.
It can be a full-time arrangement as an
alternative to living in a care home. Or
carers can help by providing respite care
– giving other families a break, whether
for a weekend, a day, or even a few hours.
Shared Lives is looking to recruit
more carers. They are paid and receive
training and support, as well as
holidays. Could it be you?
FIONA AND SHARON
Fiona, who has a learning disability
diagnosis, and lives with her father
most of the time, said: “Sharon is like a
mother to me. I can go to her for advice.
She has helped me a lot, and shown me
a lot. I feel like part of her family.
“I’d be lost without Shared Lives.
I love it. It’s made me happier and
more confident.”
Sharon, who recently left a part-time
job to concentrate solely on her caring,
said: “Fiona is like an extra member of
the family and keeps me very busy. It is
very rewarding and I certainly get more
thanks and appreciation than in any
other job I have done.”
For the full story, visit
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
features/shared-lives
Want to find
out more?
n Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/
sharedlives
n Call
020 8825 5436
n Email
[email protected]
around ealing December 2017
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