Lived Experience Leading the Way
Shared Lives is a unique form of support that brings people together through family and community life. It matches adults who need support with approved carers, offering long-term arrangements, short breaks or day support in a safe, supportive home environment. At Camphill Village Trust, Shared Lives is built on relationships, trust and belonging, and, increasingly, on the voices of people with lived experience.
In January, an exciting new chapter began with the very first Shared Lives Champions Meeting, bringing together people we support through Shared Lives, ambassadors and staff to help shape the future of the service.
Meet the Shared Lives Champions
The session was led with energy and warmth by Katie, a Shared Lives Plus Ambassador, alongside Shane and Chloe. All three are people we support through Shared Lives, and each brings enthusiasm, creativity and lived experience to their new role as Shared Lives Champions.
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- Shared Lives Champions
The meeting began with relaxed conversation and reflections on a recent bowling trip, before moving into meaningful discussions about leadership, volunteering and making change happen. Katie shared her inspiring journey from volunteering at pop-up stands and community events to becoming a national ambassador. Her role now includes sitting on interview panels, contributing to inspections and helping raise awareness of Shared Lives across the country.
Katie spoke powerfully about the importance of being valued, thanked and recognised for contributions – a message that resonated strongly with the group. Inspired by her experience, Shane and Chloe shared their own ambitions to get more involved, from attending promotional events to speaking openly about how Shared Lives has supported them.
By the end of the discussion, the group proudly agreed on their identity: Shared Lives Champions – a name that reflects their role in representing the service, inspiring others and helping to shape what Shared Lives looks like in practice.
Championing change for care leavers
A key part of the meeting focused on the Esmée Fairbairn Project, which explores how Shared Lives could support young people leaving care who may not qualify for adult social care. The conversation highlighted the challenges many care leavers face at 18, including housing insecurity, financial pressures, vulnerability and isolation.
The group discussed how Shared Lives could offer stability, consistency and a sense of belonging during this critical transition. Katie’s ambassador experience will now help inform a clearer recruitment and induction process for future Champions, with opportunities for paid involvement built in.
Looking ahead: events, employment and community impact
The Champions also looked ahead to upcoming opportunities, including an Employment Event in Stourbridge featuring activities, animal encounters and talks from employment support teams. Shane shared his pride in his role as a cellar porter, offering a real-life example of how meaningful work can build confidence, independence and self-worth.
Other plans include involvement in a SEND event at Molineux, supporting Shared Lives carer recruitment visits, and sharing stories, videos and achievements on the Shared Lives website to help more people understand the difference the service can make.
To ensure everyone can take part, the group agreed to meet monthly, alternating between virtual and in-person sessions, with a WhatsApp group to help coordinate travel, accessibility needs and events. Funding options will also be explored to cover the cost of group activities, ensuring no one is excluded for financial reasons.
What happens next?
The meeting ended with a strong sense of purpose and excitement. Agreed next steps include:
- Creating Shared Lives Champions name badges and group clothing
- Sharing details of upcoming events and coordinating attendance
- Developing a standard set of questions for carer recruitment visits
- Establishing a regular monthly meeting schedule
- Planning the official project launch
This first meeting showed the power of lived experience when people are given the space, support and confidence to lead. The Shared Lives Champions are already shaping the future of the service, and this is just the beginning.
