SHARED LIVES
The Hussains at
home with Raheem
and son Asad
Shared
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‘We are a family’
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Raheem is autistic and has lived with the Hussains since he was nine years old. He
was fostered by the Greenford family and then came to live with them through a
little-known scheme with a big impact.
E
aling Shared Lives has been
run by Ealing Council for
almost 25 years. It places
adults who have additional
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.
Zahid and Rukhsana Hussain are
foster carers and had been fostering
for only two years when Raheem first
came to stay with them in 2000, as a
nine-year-old.
Zahid said: “He was meant to be
here for two weeks over the Christmas
period but he has been here ever
since. We fostered him and he felt
comfortable and he became part of
the family.”
When Raheem turned 18 the
Hussains successfully applied for him
to be transferred across to the Shared
Lives programme.
The Hussains have three grown-up
sons and a daughter, and two of the
sons, Bilal and Asad, are official respite
carers for Raheem to give their parents
a break now and again.
“It has been a joint family thing, or
it would have been more difficult,”
said Zahid.
Rukhsana agreed, and said: “Our
children are very helpful.
“It is so rewarding. I’m his mum.
We’ve given him our life and have had
to sacrifice things for him, but it’s worth
it. We are a family.”
Watch a video at
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
shared-week
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
Shared Lives carers are paid and
receive training and support,
as well as holidays. Visit
www.ealing.gov.uk/sharedlives
or call 020 8825 5436 or email
[email protected]
around ealing June 2018
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