Our Shared Lives scheme has recruited over 52 new carers throughout the pandemic, thanks to the government’s Covid Emergency Fund.
The new roles will help to provide care throughout the Black Country and city of Birmingham, providing personalised support to adults with additional needs within their own home.
Registered Manager for the Camphill Village Trust Shared Lives scheme, Kate Morgan said:
Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on all aspects of our lives since March last year, but Shared Lives Carers across the West Midlands region have been providing more support than ever.
We have witnessed first-hand how resilient and creative carers have been during these uncertain times and continue to support people to live longer, healthier, happier lives.
This recruitment drive comes at a time when an independent study by Survation revealed that 70% of people would prefer any future care needs to take place in a home environment rather than a residential setting.
Currently just providing one percent of all social care services in England, Shared Lives care has a strong track record of delivering good outcomes, with over 90% of adults who live with or visit a Shared Lives carer saying it improved their social life as well as meeting their support needs.
Helen Whately, Minister of Care, said:
The pandemic has shown us the increased need for social care which offers greater independence through freedom of choice, enabling people to strengthen relationships, which are so vital to our mental and physical wellbeing.
The challenge now is to scale up the sector, so that even more adults can be supported by Shared Lives, which is still the safest and best quality form of regulated social care available.
To become a Shared Lives carer, you must be over 18 years of age and don’t need any qualifications or experience, just the right values, commitment and the available space in your home.
To find out more about becoming a Shared Lives Carer, visit Shared Lives West Midlands | Adult Support| Camphill Village Trust.
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