Katie has lived with her Shared Lives Carer, John and his wife Jane, for around 16 years and has been a part of our Shared Lives scheme for a couple of years now.
Katie recently joined us for a work placement as part of her college course. Katie was supported by Cathy Dale, who is also her Shared Lives Area Coordinator, and whilst on placement, she has shared a few words about her experience.
“All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust!”
Hi, I am Katie, and you might have seen me at some events which I took part in the last three weeks of June or heard me speaking up in the thank you speeches which took place at the Shared Lives relaunch event.
For those who do not know me or did not know why I was there, I am a college student from SCL education studying level 2 Health and Social Care. I was completing my work experience placement within the Shared Lives team.
What did you learn during the placement?
When completing my work placement in Shared Lives I learned about what they offer to people which is long, short term or respite care and that the team mainly goes out to events to gain the attention of others who are looking for help and support. Also, events gain the attention of individuals who would like to become a Shared Lives Carer.
During my work experience at Shared Lives I went to different events with the team and was able to see the positive impact it can have on people. This is because people who are caring or those who are in need of help are able to find out information about health and social companies which can support them. Also, those people who may not have anyone to talk to by coming to events may give them a sense of belonging in life due to being able to talk to someone at the events.
When I went to the Shared Lives coffee morning I was able to see how important it is to hold this type of event. This is because Carers can also speak to other Carers about their experiences.
One other event which I went to and enjoyed learning about was the Dudley Voices for Choices group. This is because they offer a safe place for people with additional needs to talk about their likes, what is important to them and what needs to be changed in the community. In my eyes I find this great because people without additional needs may not always see how hard it is for someone with additional needs to do things which they take for granted. Also, it promotes equality and inclusiveness because everyone is treated in a fair way.
Furthermore, I have developed my teamwork and communication skills because I helped the team by getting things ready for the next event, helping them pick up things after events and talking to other health and social services.
Opening the door to college students
As a lot of you may be aware that due to the nature of the work experience placement, these types of placements are quite difficult for college students to get hold of. These types of settings only usually have students who are studying at university. Therefore people who want to be social workers or work in those types of settings will not be able to gain experience until they go to university.
In my opinion, I believe that these types of settings should be available to college students who wish to do their placement with them, however restrict on what the student can do and what they cannot do.
Therefore, I am the first ever college student to have done a work placement with them and I would like to say a big thankyou to Kate and Dean for allowing me the opportunity to complete it at Shared Lives! Also, wishing a big good luck if you start making placements available for college students.
What was your experience of doing your work placement with Shared Lives?
In my time I have not done a work placement other than in education settings. Therefore, I did not know what to expect on the first day when I went. It gave me an opportunity to gain experience in a different role.
I must admit that I loved doing my work placement within Shared Lives more than my education work placements. This is because I enjoyed that everyday when I went in was different to the next. I loved the part that at events you get to help different people at each one who are looking for support or just someone to talk to. Most importantly, I felt more accepted doing my work placement at Shared Lives.
From this it has made me want to progress to do my level 3 in Health and Social Care in September at college to gain more knowledge on helping and supporting people. Also, I would like to carry on helping Shared Lives at more events and help them plan events.
When completing my work placement with Shared Lives I met an amazing team who have a massive, caring heart in what they do, and, no matter the level or ability, you are they will support you. Therefore, if you want to do a placement at Shared Lives I would recommend it to anyone.
What was a highlight of your placement?
I would like to say a big thank you to Cathy for being an amazing person. You allowed me to learn about your role. I also enjoyed having a joke with Cathy about her interest in buses after she accidentally took the wrong turn in the car and almost ended up in Stourbridge bus station!
Therefore, I painted Kate a bus for her to know where Cathy may be if she is late into work.
Cathy has commented: “It was heartwarming to know that Katie enjoyed spending time with our team. Katie gave honest and positive feedback to what we do and how we do it. Asking direct questions which sometimes we didn’t have the answers to, and keeping us on our toes! Marketing team, take note… Katie found our tablecloths boring, suggesting they need pictures to bring to life. She loved our new leaflets though, giving them a big thumbs up. Katie is now volunteering with our team at events and of course now has a branded t shirt to be part of the team! Think we may be looking at a future Shared Lives Ambassador right here!”
