Life is better when shared

Cheshire West and Chester Council company Vivo Care Choices is recruiting Shared Lives carers.

Vivo runs its Shared Lives scheme across west Cheshire, offering an alternative to day services, respite care and residential care.

The service is available for older people, or people with learning disabilities or autism aged 18 and over, who need support or support and accommodation.

Shared Lives offers flexible roles for carers to provide the following types of support.

• Sessional – supporting someone for a few hours a week in a variety of settings to meet the person’s needs and interests.
• Short-term – helping someone take a break by providing overnight care from one night to a few weeks.
• Long-term – welcoming someone to live in their home as part of their family.

By carefully matching carers with people they can share activities or their family life with, Shared Lives offers a unique service that provides many benefits to both the carer and the person they are caring for.

Alistair Jeffs, Managing Director of Vivo, said: “We’re very proud of our Shared Lives scheme and how our matches provide such fantastic outcomes for both the carer and the person they support.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone in society and our Shared Lives scheme is something that can appeal to many people.

“By becoming a Shared Lives carer, you can make a new friend for life and enjoy some fantastic experiences together.

“Some people have found themselves isolated or out of work because of the pandemic and our Shared Lives scheme offers a route back into employment for people with the right skills and values.

“For anyone who is active and enjoys having a go at a range of activities, being a Shared Lives carer is ideal as the scheme is flexible and suitable for a range of different people.”

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, added: “Vivo’s Shared Lives scheme is a valuable service for people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as older people, across west Cheshire.

“It’d be great to see the team at Vivo make even more matches that will create lasting benefits for both carers and the people they care for.”

A Shared Lives arrangement can only be successful if the carer is able to meet the needs of the individual and has similar interests to them. Vivo always carefully matches carers with individuals.

Meetings are arranged between the potential matches to make sure they are compatible and check everybody involved is happy to go ahead with the placement. All carers are subject to DBS checks and full training is provided before being approved, receiving support from Vivo throughout their time as a carer.

• Visit Vivo’s job recruitment site to apply

Pictured - Shared Lives carer Vanda supports Aaron (photo taken before COVID-19).