Council looking to recruit carers for Shared Lives service

WILTSHIRE Council say they are looking for ordinary people to do the extraordinary. The council says, “We need compassionate and committed people to provide accommodation, care and support to vulnerable adults.

“The service is called Shared Lives and the carers involved are people who open up their home and family life to include an adult with support needs.

“Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life and don’t need qualifications or experience, just the right attitude and a willingness to share their lives with another person. They are paid a fixed amount, rather than an hourly rate, and have access to preferential tax arrangements.”

Current Shared Lives carers Sandie and Ken Stevens said, “Seeing someone grow and achieve new things, and keeping them safe gives us a great sense of pleasure, which stays with us for a long time.”

Wiltshire Council continues, “We’re a registered service with the Care Quality Commission and have been rated ‘Good’ within the last year.”

Johnny Kidney, Wiltshire Council’s portfolio holder for adult social care said, “The Shared Lives scheme provides people with an improved quality of life and gives them a strong family environment, helping them develop relationships that could last a lifetime.

“I would urge anyone interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer to do so, it’s an incredibly rewarding thing to do and you will be making a huge positive difference to someone’s life.”

If you are interested in becoming a carer or would like to know more, please call 01722 438196/ 01380 826451; email sharedlives@ wiltshire.gov.uk or visit www. yourcareyoursupport wiltshire.org.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-placement.