An enriching and rewarding career
Almost 20 years ago Jane took her first steps into becoming a Shared Lives Carer when she began offering part time respite for the service. Now, she’s reflecting on her enriching and rewarding career in a bid to encourage more residents to open their homes to adults in need of support.
Having been involved with social care all her working life, Jane first learned about the world of learning disabilities during a role in a Children’s Home. Following proudly in her mother’s footsteps, she was encouraged to get involved in Shared Lives respite care initially before knowing the role was right for her.
She said: “In 2008 I opened our doors to one gentleman full time as his carers were retiring and he needed a permanent room.” Four months later another gentleman moved in with us, and then a few months later another joined us and so for a number of years, I’ve had three gentlemen that I’ve cared for as part of our family.”
We spoke to Jane about what a week in her life looks like, how she created a family atmosphere and what she considered rewarding about her role.
A week in the life of Jane
“As a Shared Lives Carer, it means I share my life and my family with vulnerable adults who need care and support.”
“Day to day we provide support and accommodation for two gentlemen who live at home with us, they’re 62 and 56.”
“We provide their meals and at weekends we take them out socially to restaurants and for pub meals, or to seminars, school, community groups and anywhere else really.”
“My role is to encourage independent living skills, so things like keeping their own bedrooms and bathrooms clean and tidy. We support them to do it obviously, but it’s the encouragement that’s important.”
Hear from Jane…
A family atmosphere…
“Like I said I’ve had three gentlemen that I have cared for as part of our family and it’s very much that, a family. I’ve got an open door as a family. Every Friday night we would have fish and chips nights, and all my brothers and sisters would come round, and the lads would be there and everybody would be together.”
“That’s very much how we are, you know, a family atmosphere. But the lads do like their own space as well and I think it’s really important that they’ve got that time where they can disappear into their own rooms if they want.”
“They don’t always want to be full on with the noisy household, though it’s not quite as noisy as it used to be these days.”
A rewarding role
“I really enjoy what I do, it’s really very rewarding. I get my fulfilment from seeing the lads blossom in what they can do and what they can achieve.”
“One of them can now wash and iron his own clothes and he wasn’t able to do that when he first moved in with us. He’s very proud of the fact he can do that, and honestly, he’s better at it than I am.”
“They do simple cooking for themselves now too, stuff like beans on toasts and snacks, and we have lots of holidays too. That’s something they look forward to every year and we always go away together.”
“For me, the most important rule is to treat them with respect and dignity as to how you would like to be treated yourself. That’s crucial. They should be treated like equal members of your family, because they are and they should feel like they are a part of your family.”
Interested in becoming a Shared Lives Carer?
The service received a ‘good’ rating from CQC last year and was rated ‘outstanding’ under the caring category in the glowing report.
If you’re interested in becoming a Shared Lives Carer, please contact Martin McGregor: