Mayor of Dudley and wife, Gloria, become Shared Lives Carers

Last week marked a new beginning for Councillor Peter Lee – the current Mayor of Dudley – and his wife Gloria, who were officially approved as Shared Lives Carers, a milestone highlighting both a personal commitment and a shared vision for supporting young people as they transition into adulthood.

Their journey began when a young person they had cared for since 2011, reached 18 years of age, thus ending their Special Guardianship Order. With children’s services naturally coming to a close, Peter and Gloria sought guidance from adult social care about how best to continue offering the stability and consistency this young person had always known. That search led them to Shared Lives.

From the first conversation, something clicked. The Shared Lives model, rooted in relationships, community inclusion, and long‑term connection, reflected everything they believed care should be. Becoming Shared Lives Carers felt less like starting something new, and more like continuing a journey already well underway.

Councillor Peter Lee who also serves as the Mayor of Dudley, has long been passionate about improving outcomes for young people across the community. Stepping into the role of a Shared Lives Carer brings that passion even closer to home. Not only will Peter and Gloria continue providing the young person with the sense of belonging they deserve, but they are also committed to being powerful advocates for young people whose voices are too often overlooked.

During their assessment to become Shared Lives Carers, Councillor Lee reflected “We are keen to support with strengthening engagement with established carer networks and ensuring that more foster families are informed about and able to participate in the Shared Lives approach, ultimately increasing placement capacity and improving outcomes for adults requiring support. Shared Lives is a wonderful model and we are looking forward to working with Camphill Village Trust to help promote the service to more people in Dudley”.

Their hope is simple – to champion the Shared Lives model as a meaningful alternative for adults and young people alike, especially those with additional needs, complex experiences, or limited networks. They believe that the right home, the right support, and the right people can make all the difference in shaping a young person’s path into adulthood.

And for the young person at the centre of this story, it means continuing their journey into adulthood with stability, support, and people who are committed to helping them thrive.