Shared lives
Who we are
We are a support service for people aged over 18 who want help to live independently in their community, with the support of a Shared Lives carer. We are an alternative to day care, supported living and residential care and serve communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
Our scheme has been in running for over 20 years, and provides hundreds of long term and short break arrangements each year. We are sustained by a dedicated group of Shared Lives carers who specialise in working with people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions as well as step-down from hospital, dementia and older people’s services.
The team at West Wales Shared Lives consists of experienced professionals with backgrounds in Health and Social Care, many of whom you will meet during your journey with Shared Lives. We are bound by the Code of Professional Practice in Social Care (Wales), and our scheme is registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales.
West Wales Shared Lives provides Individuals with permanent homes, short-term accomodation and short break (respite) services. We do this by recruiting and training ordinary people who have room to spare and time to share. Our Shared Lives carers live in town and rural communities across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and we are able to match an individual and Shared Lives Carers according to location, type of property and shared interests.
Sessional Support
We can provide support and care on an hourly basis. The support starts and finishes from a Shared Lives carers home and can be in the daytime or evening, weekdays, and weekends.
Daytime Support
Offering individuals a range of activities at home or in the community during the day or evening. As a carer you can share your skills and interests with others, from cooking to getting out on public transport from the gym to rambling.
Short break (Respite)
There is also the option to look after an individual for one night or more. In this type of arrangement you will provide meals and accommodation, together with support and assistance.
Short-Term Care Arrangements
Short-term care arrangements are when an individual stays with a Shared Lives carer for up to 3 months. There are many reasons an individual may only need to stay with a Shared Lives carer for a short period of time, which is monitored and reviewed with the individuals care team and ourselves. These arrangements can be because of:
- step-down from hospital before moving back home or to residential care
- a change in their current living situation resulting in them needing to be placed elsewhere in the interim period an arranged respite.
Long-Term Care Arrangements
In this arrangement, an individual with care needs becomes a full-time member of a Shared Lives carer's household. They receive ongoing support, care, and accommodation within a family-like environment, for people with care and support needs who are looking for somewhere to live in a family environment. This is a good alternative to supported living or residential care as you will get to know the individual well and be able to offer consistent support. It can be a stepping-stone to living independently.
How can I access West Wales Shared Lives?
Contact Us
You can contact us with any enquiries via:
Telephone: 01267 246890
Email: westwalessharedlives@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Or alternatively, fill in our enquiry form.
Who we are
We are a support service for people aged over 18 who want help to live independently in their community, with the support of a Shared Lives carer. We are an alternative to day care, supported living and residential care and serve communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
Our scheme has been in running for over 20 years, and provides hundreds of long term and short break arrangements each year. We are sustained by a dedicated group of Shared Lives carers who specialise in working with people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions as well as step-down from hospital, dementia and older people’s services.
The team at West Wales Shared Lives consists of experienced professionals with backgrounds in Health and Social Care, many of whom you will meet during your journey with Shared Lives. We are bound by the Code of Professional Practice in Social Care (Wales), and our scheme is registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales.
West Wales Shared Lives provides Individuals with permanent homes, short-term accomodation and short break (respite) services. We do this by recruiting and training ordinary people who have room to spare and time to share. Our Shared Lives carers live in town and rural communities across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and we are able to match an individual and Shared Lives Carers according to location, type of property and shared interests.
Sessional Support
We can provide support and care on an hourly basis. The support starts and finishes from a Shared Lives carers home and can be in the daytime or evening, weekdays, and weekends.
Daytime Support
Offering individuals a range of activities at home or in the community during the day or evening. As a carer you can share your skills and interests with others, from cooking to getting out on public transport from the gym to rambling.
Short break (Respite)
There is also the option to look after an individual for one night or more. In this type of arrangement you will provide meals and accommodation, together with support and assistance.
Short-Term Care Arrangements
Short-term care arrangements are when an individual stays with a Shared Lives carer for up to 3 months. There are many reasons an individual may only need to stay with a Shared Lives carer for a short period of time, which is monitored and reviewed with the individuals care team and ourselves. These arrangements can be because of:
- step-down from hospital before moving back home or to residential care
- a change in their current living situation resulting in them needing to be placed elsewhere in the interim period an arranged respite.
Long-Term Care Arrangements
In this arrangement, an individual with care needs becomes a full-time member of a Shared Lives carer's household. They receive ongoing support, care, and accommodation within a family-like environment, for people with care and support needs who are looking for somewhere to live in a family environment. This is a good alternative to supported living or residential care as you will get to know the individual well and be able to offer consistent support. It can be a stepping-stone to living independently.
How can I access West Wales Shared Lives?
Contact Us
You can contact us with any enquiries via:
Telephone: 01267 246890
Email: westwalessharedlives@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Or alternatively, fill in our enquiry form.
As a Shared Lives carer, you have the opportunity to support someone from your own home, including support during day time hours, overnight (short breaks), short-term and long-term care arrangements. The team at West Wales Shared Lives will match a carer and an individual who needs support by things like common interests, lifestyle choices and personalities. We want you and the person placed with you to enjoy your time together and experience the benefits of working with us.
Fiona and Nigel, long-term carers for Gabrielle, describe the work as “life changing”, whilst acknowledging that they could not do it without the support of West Wales Shared Lives, as it provides them with a steady income. Fiona said, "You couldn't just do this as a job, you have to feel this is something you want to do” continuing "[Gabrielle] is very much a part of our family and all our family are very close to her”.
While Emily, who recently became a short break carer sees it as a way of helping people, whilst being able to work flexibly. Sarah, who sometimes stays with Emily describes how the relationship with Emily and other Shared Lives Carers has boosted her confidence, stating it is “the best thing that ever happened to me”.
Would you be interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer?
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Shared Lives carer. Although, we look for certain skills, attributes, experience and we will support you with any other training you need.
As a Shared Lives carer, you have the opportunity to support someone from your own home, including support during day time hours, overnight (short breaks), short-term and long-term care arrangements. The team at West Wales Shared Lives will match a carer and an individual who needs support by things like common interests, lifestyle choices and personalities. We want you and the person placed with you to enjoy your time together and experience the benefits of working with us.
Fiona and Nigel, long-term carers for Gabrielle, describe the work as “life changing”, whilst acknowledging that they could not do it without the support of West Wales Shared Lives, as it provides them with a steady income. Fiona said, "You couldn't just do this as a job, you have to feel this is something you want to do” continuing "[Gabrielle] is very much a part of our family and all our family are very close to her”.
While Emily, who recently became a short break carer sees it as a way of helping people, whilst being able to work flexibly. Sarah, who sometimes stays with Emily describes how the relationship with Emily and other Shared Lives Carers has boosted her confidence, stating it is “the best thing that ever happened to me”.
Would you be interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer?
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Shared Lives carer. Although, we look for certain skills, attributes, experience and we will support you with any other training you need.
