People that use our service
Jefferson & Julie
Julie of Ruislip, is a long term placement carer for Shared Lives. She fostered 15-year-old Jefferson and that foster placement transitioned into a Shared Lives placement. Jefferson has a learning disability. He is deaf and wears a cochlear implant. He is a lovely young man with a supportive “family” around him,
“She is better than a mum,” said Jefferson.
Julie’s daughter Abi and her partner Laura provide respite care for Jefferson when Julie is needing a break. They demonstrate that Shared Lives really is family affair. Jefferson keeps himself busy by helping around the home or getting out and about with the CHOICE Social Group. As well as amazing “family adventures”, such as day trips to theme parks and weeks in his caravan, they go on holidays with the whole family; eighteen people on tour!"
The road to Shared Lives, via fostering, all began years ago.
Julie said: “We have 3 birth children and the youngest has ADHD and another has autism, so I set up a support group when they were young which grew into a charity offering a play service and advocacy. It also provided a school placement service for children excluded from school. I started to provide one of them with some respite care and had to register with the fostering service to do that – and that’s where it all began.
I really enjoyed it and just kept going. I had a few short-term placements and it just crept up. I couldn’t say no to a young person in need."
Patricia and Norvege
Patricia welcomed Norvege, who has learning disabilities, into her family as a foster care placement when Norvege was a teenager. Norvege soon became a firm part of the family and, thanks to the Shared Lives scheme, she was able to remain with Patricia, her husband and their son in their home in Greenford after she turned 18. Norvege is now 36 years old.
Patricia said: “Even if you haven’t got a care background, if you are very patient and have that nurturing personality in you, of course you can do it. It’s not a job, it’s about what you have in your heart to offer.”
“We all need somebody, and the little you can help in this world – it’s important, and Shared Lives is there.”
Norvege added: “When I’m with [Patricia] I feel like she’s my protector, my shield, and there’s no one like her. There’s nothing I love more than being with my family.”
What people say about our service
Local councillors have said:
- “It’s so heartwarming to see wonderful relationships develop. It’s such a rewarding and fulfilling scheme to be part of and our hard-working staff strive to place people with the right families for them.
- “Schemes such as Shared Lives play such an important part in supporting adults with additional needs and we’d love to see more people come forward and offer their support.”
- “Shared Lives carers are such a credit to the community and we are looking to recruit more. Some people who have fostered before might be particularly suitable – whether for short respite care or longer-term care in your home.”