Champions Corner

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a lovely summer either here or abroad. We certainly were spoilt with gorgeous weather here in the UK. I personally did not go away this year as I had a very sick dog whom sadly, I had to let go.

The people I support and Tony my husband did go away and had four glorious weeks away in sunny Calabria in Southern Italy which they really did enjoy. Dare I mention Christmas. The truth is it will soon be here upon us, and we will all be chasing around in hope that we can pick up a bargain or two!

All Shared Lives Plus members can apply for the Blue Light card, the discount service for those working in social care. We can issue you the correct ID and instructions for you to apply. There are some special discounts going on and lots of savings to be made. Last year the money I saved on my washing machine from using the Blue Light Card paid for my Shared Lives Plus membership.

I wish you all well and hope you all stay safe. I shall pass you on to my partner in crime and Shared Lives Plus carer Champion, Steve Collis.

Helen Piscioneri, Shared Lives champion

Thanks Helen, hello fellow carers! It has been a whirlwind of events since I last wrote to you all. I don't think Helen and myself have ever been busier. We are both hard at work setting up new independent carer groups. Over the last three months we have helped five groups get started. We helped set up a group in South Wales, thanks to the "Ategi Dragons" for making us feel so welcome.

Supporting each other at this moment in time is so important. I know that no matter what, we as carers have to keep on giving amazing standards of support to the people we share our lives with, so peer support is important to let off steam and gain a different perspective to your own caring experience.

If any of you would like to talk to us about setting up a group in your area please contact the Membership team on: 0151 227 3499 or email: steve@sharedlivesplus. org.uk or helen@sharedlivesplus.org.uk. We’d be so happy to help you connect with fellow carers in your area and to work together with your scheme to make things better for people you support and yourselves.

Helen and I wish you all a peaceful Christmas once it finally comes, Steve

Steve Collis, Shared Lives champion