Launch of Shared Lives regional awareness campaign, supported by the Department of Health

31.10.11

Shared Lives in the south west region is getting a boost, with support from the Department of Health in the South West.

The Department of Health is supporting the expansion of Shared Lives schemes across the South West region working with Shared Lives South West.  By raising awareness and increasing capacity the Department hopes that more people with have greater choice and opportunity to live within a Shared Lives setting. One of the key success factors, as the Departments sees it, is the commitment of the people working in Shared Lives and their enthusiasm for the model.

The awareness campaign they are supporting will specifically help Shared Lives services in Plymouth, Weston Super Mare, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire raise their profile. Other services in Swindon, Bournemouth, Poole, Cornwall, Dorset, South Gloucester and Bath have received small amounts of project funds for 12 months to boost staff resources and increase capacity.

In Plymouth, a Shared Lives service has been run by Shared Lives South West since 2004, but often people who live in Plymouth or work in the care sector have not heard of it and don’t really know what it could offer. The support from the Department of Health is helping to raise the profile of the Shared Lives services by funding some extra publicity, which will tie in with Shared Lives South West’s own awareness raising.  Sally Crombie, manager of the Plymouth services for Shared Lives South West says

 “we are very aware that people in Plymouth might not know that Shared Lives exists or how it could help them. We really hope this awareness campaign goes some way to getting more people involved in our scheme as Shared Lives carers or using our service. We have been working with Plymouth Council for some time to increase capacity, as they are very keen to make this an option for more people in the City.”

To kick off the campaign, Shared Lives South West is hosting a public meeting at the Reel Cinema in Derry’s Cross, Plymouth on  Thursday the 10th November. This is an open meeting for anyone wanting to know more about Shared Lives, and part of the event will be the cinema premiere of some excellent new films featuring a number of Shared Lives households.

Jane Bell, chief executive of Shared Lives South West explains.

 “It can be hard to get a feel for how it might be to share your home and your life with people as a Shared Lives carer or service user. These films really explain the concept, and show how rewarding this way of living can be for carers and service users alike. The films are also a really entertaining watch, and we would love people to come and find out what it’s all about.”

Anyone wanting further information about Shared Lives in Plymouth or the event at the Reel Cinema on November 10th can call 01752 500513 or 01209 891888 or check out the Shared Lives South West website on www.sharedlivessw.org.uk

 

 Additional information

The Plymouth Shared Lives service is run by Shared Lives South West, an independent charity, and is registered with the Care Quality Commission. The organisation was set up in 2004 and has offices in Plymouth, and also in Newton Abbot and Redruth. Shared Lives South West is seeking to significantly increase capacity in Plymouth.  Shared Lives South West provides Shared Lives services across Devon, Plymouth, Cornwall and Torbay for over 300 people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, older people, people with dementia and parents with a learning disability. It offers long term services, short breaks and day support.

Shared Lives South West is managing this awareness raising campaign for the Department of Health in the South West, as part of the Departments overall support to increase opportunities to live in Shared Lives across the region. There are local authority run Shared Lives schemes in other areas of the South West – Somerset, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucester, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. Details of each scheme are available from Shared Lives South West, who currently chair and co-ordinate the South West regional network.

For further information contact

Sally Crombie, services manager for Shared Lives South West in Plymouth on 01209 891888 or scrombie@sharedlivessw.org.uk

Jane Bell, chief executive of Shared Lives South West on 01626 360170 or jbell@sharedlivessw.org.uk