Shared Lives Plus 2022 Annual conference

In October we welcomed over 250 people from across the UK to our annual online conference.

The event lasted two days, and was packed with useful content for our members, with workshops on a wide range of subjects. And of course, we also had our annual awards – a great chance to celebrate the fantastic work of our members. Here’s what some of the attendees had to say.

“Thank you all for an amazing two days from all at Shared Lives Dumfries and Galloway.”

– Helen Robertson

“First conference I have attended and it’s been a great couple of days! Thank you.”

– Nicole Docherty

“Great two days again and positive celebration of this wonderful model of support. Well done everyone.”

– Diane Mcleary

“Well done again to all the team for the seamless arrangements!”

– Steph Downey, Service Director, Gateshead Council

The Talks

This year conference provided an excellent chance for our members to network with one another, hear from our keynote speakers and attend the fantastic 2022 Shared Living awards ceremony.

Keynote speakers

It was a great opportunity to introduce our new CEO, Ewan King. He opened the conference with Kathryn Smith, CEO Social Care Institute for Excellence who reflected on her experiences of being a carer in a home for older people and the relationships that stayed with her, long after she left. Kathryn recognised the extreme pressures the sector is facing and also highlighted how Shared Lives fits into the government's reform of health and social care: "We hear again and again from people who draw on services about the importance of personcentred care; the sort of care and support we would want for our own loved ones. This outcome must be key to any plans for care reform."

Keynote speakers from Shared Lives households, Helen and Paul from Lockerbie, Scotland, Lynne, Ian, Chris and Dennis from the Midlands, Mohinder from London and Richard and Josh from West Sussex, as well as a Homeshare match - Bryan and Melba, and Patricia a volunteer mentor with Family by Family, all gave inspiring, passionate and honest speeches about their experiences. You can watch them on our YouTube channel by searching Shared Lives Plus conference 2022.

The panel discussion reflected on their speeches and how community-based support can change and grow across the UK. We were joined by Josh MacAlister, chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Services, Alex Smith, CEO The Cares Family, Steph Downey, Service Director for Adult Social Care, Gateshead Council, Tom Milnes, Shared Lives Ambassador and Emma Parrish-Andrews, Homeshare Ambassador.

“We need the system to adopt a mindset which says our job is not to provide a relationship as a service but run a service and help it flourish.”

– Josh MacAlister, chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Services