Sharing Magazine Vol 36

Shared Lives: A network of support

Pages 18-21

Find out how the different elements of Shared Lives work together to create the highest rated form of social care in the UK.

Free for members of Shared Lives Plus for three months.

A trip to the stables for twins Paul and Richard during recording for Stacey Dooley's BBC Fresh Starts podcast. See page 10

to Spring 2022

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

Becky Viney-Wood, Membership support and engagement manager for Shared Lives Plus

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Welcome to your Spring 2022 issue of Sharing magazine. I am pleased to introduce myself as the new membership support and engagement manager for Shared Lives Plus. It’s my job to listen to Shared Lives members, and to provide support, information, and advice. While this is a new role for me, and for the organisation, I am bringing my working knowledge of Shared Lives with me from my previous position as Shared Lives Plus’s first policy officer.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

My role is also to identify issues of concern and develop strategies to help Shared Lives members thrive. You can get in touch with me with concerns and queries by calling the carer helpline on 0151 227 3499 or via membership@sharedlivesplus.org.uk

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Speaking of thriving, our cover stars this issue are twins Richard and Paul who live with Shared Lives carer Tina in Wales. Their story is a positive example of how the personalised care provided by Shared Lives can support people who have nowhere else to turn. And it’s such a good story that they got to be interviewed by Stacey Dooley for her BBC podcast. You can read all about their experience on page 10

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

Key facts:

Shared Lives Plus is able to do what it does because Shared Lives isn’t just one organisation, but a whole network of support. In this issue we have a special feature illustrating how the different parts of the Shared Lives network fit together (page 18) From referral to arrangement, and from Shared Lives carers to government ministers - it’s a real team effort.

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

And we believe that effort deserves to be rewarded, which is why we are always looking for new ways to add value to your membership. Have a look at pages 3-6 for a reminder of all the benefits that membership of Shared Lives Plus brings with it – including some brand-new ones added since the last issue of Sharing.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

Finally, you can catch up with what the membership team have been up to recently in Champions Corner (page 14), and on pages 12 and 13 - including a report and update on the new Your Voice members forum (page 15). Thank you to everyone who came along to the first Your Voice meeting held online in January. The next meeting is on April 21st, and we hope to see as many of you there as possible.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

NEW helpline!

Tax, Benefits and National Insurance: 0121 794 2289 FREE to Shared Lives Plus members

Intellect have specialised in self-employed carer finances for over 10 years, in that time they have built up a wealth of knowledge and experience in advising on carer tax, NI and benefits. Thousands of carers across the UK trust Intellect to take care of their finances.

Shared Lives Plus members will benefit from access to a FREE tax, NI and benefits helpline available Mon-Fri 09.00–17.00 for a trial period of three months from 1st March 2022. (Call backs, if needed, are made on same or next working day.)

At the end of the line, you will find a friendly, helpful team of tax, NI and benefits experts, ready to answer queries about:

Income Tax – Responsibilities, liabilities, allowances and guidance in completing tax returns.

National Insurance – How to get it right to ensure that you will receive full state pension at your retirement date.

Benefits – Your and your family’s benefits entitlements e.g. universal credit, PIP, housing benefit, council tax relief, DLA, carers allowance, ESA and more.

Intellect are also offering Shared Lives Plus carers, and any self-employed member of their families, a fixed, discounted rate when they sign up for their tax return service - £160 inc VAT*

When you sign up for the tax return service, the Intellect team will:

Ensure that you are minimising your tax liabilities

Deal with HMRC on your behalf

File your tax return for you

Take away the stress, confusion and time constraints of completing tax returns

In conclusion, the tax advice service offers you support, advice and complete peace of mind that you are fully compliant with tax legislation and maximising your household income.

Contact Intellect today on: 0121 794 2289

tax@intellectbiz.com

*terms and conditions apply

We’ve got you covered!

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

As a member of Shared Lives Plus you are part of a UK-wide network of people working together to create a kinder, stronger society built on sharing our lives and our homes. We believe that our lives get better when they’re shared, and that’s what membership with us is all about.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

Here’s a reminder of all the benefits you can access as a member. All this from as little as £1.12 per week:

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

Tailored insurance - included or discounted with membership.

£100,000 legal expenses coverage, to pay for legal costs if you face de-approval, criminal charges, or civil action in relation to your role as a Shared Lives carer.

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Public liability insurance to cover claims against you of up to £10,000,000. (full membership only)

Key facts:

Specialist household insurance - exclusive to members

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

Our partners Towergate can arrange tailored household insurance which recognises the person who lives with you as a member of your family instead of a tenant. Their specialist care household insurance policies include as standard:

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

Accidental damage by the service user within the home

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Buildings cover includes any mobility home modifications

Personal Liability is extended to include service users

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Resident and respite service user’s belongings

Items taken away from the home including wheelchairs and other disability aids

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

Identity Theft assistance and Property Emergency cover as standard.

You can get up to 10% discount on your current insurers’ rates for the first year – you’ll be fully covered with no surprises.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

Access to discounted and specialist financial services

Mortgages

Shared Lives carers make up fewer than 0.05% of all households in the UK, which means many mortgage companies don’t have any experience of Shared Lives and may not fully appreciate the specific circumstances of your household and living situation. This could lead to you being offered less favourable mortgage terms or being treated as a more high-risk customer than you really are.

We’ve been working with our partners at Mortgage Brain for four years, so they understand how the Shared Lives license agreement works, and that Shared Lives care  provides a stable long-term income. Their specialist mortgage advisors are on hand to help, with no obligation, whether you are a first-time buyer, moving home, or re-mortgaging.

There is no fee for a consultation and it’s just £150 on application for members.

Tax Returns

Take (some of) the stress out of doing your taxes by having someone else do them for you.

Your membership gives you access to discounted tax return services from a choice of qualified providers, BWM accountants, and Intellect Business Services – see back page for contact details.

Grants for events and meetings

As a member you can apply for a grant to help you organise an event or carer group. These grants can be spent on things like venue hire and refreshments for in-person events, or Zoom licenses for online meet-ups.

Search keywords: grants

Access to free tax, benefits, and legal advice

For general legal and benefits advice, you can call Jackson Lees solicitors for confidential, qualified support.

For tax and benefits advice, you can call the Intellect Business Services helpline. Their advisors are trained to appreciate the Shared Lives model and offer effective advice to carers who may be feeling overwhelmed.

(The Intellect helpline is available for free to members between March 1st and June 1st 2022)

Discounts on shopping

Shared Lives Plus members have access to Wider Wallet, a website for online discounts, cashback, reloadable gift cards, and vouchers for shopping, days out, and more. And it’s not just discounts on treats and goodies, you can even get discounted vouchers for major supermarkets that you can use to pay for your weekly shop.

To register for free visit widerwallet.com and use the code WW2496H

Your Shared Lives Plus membership also makes it much easier to apply for a Blue Light Card, the discount card for NHS and emergency service workers. They have strict criteria for who they accept as members, and require proof of eligibility, which we can provide. Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for two years.

Search keywords:

Blue Light Card, Wider Wallet

Find out more

To find out more about any of these membership benefits, please call the office on 0151 227 3499, or search on sharedlivesplus.org.uk using the suggested search keywords

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Opportunities to get to know other Shared Lives carers

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

A comprehensive library of guidance

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

We know how important it is to be able to connect with other Shared Lives carers, which is why we are supporting the creation of a network of local and regional carer groups (see page 9).

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

We also bring carer members together through our Your Voice forums (see page 15), through online social events like our Christmas Zoom Bingo, and of course via our carer-only online forum on the website.

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Online Peer support and learning

Our online carer forum is a private dedicated space for our Shared Lives carer members to share their experience, knowledge, and support.

Search keywords: carer forum

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

Supporting Shared Lives carers by supporting Shared Lives schemes

We work with schemes to help them develop best practice by following our guidance. We also support them in their commitment to quality, which they can demonstrate by signing up to a Shared Lives Charter or developing a Shared Lives Quality Framework.

Support with scheme matters

If you are having trouble with your scheme, we can help provide support to resolve things. For instance, with informal advocacy, mediation, or negotiation with schemes on issues around best practice and guidance.

We are the experts in Shared Lives, built on our experience and knowledge across the UK. Members have access to our guidance on best practice in Shared Lives, which is regularly updated to make sure it is in line with any changes in legislation.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

Search keywords: guidance for carers

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

A dedicated carer support team

Our Shared Lives carer support team is here to provide individual support to members, whether you need advice, guidance, or someone to lend a friendly ear. The team includes our Shared Lives carer Champions who are both experienced Shared Lives carers, who can offer practical advice from a position of real understanding.

Key facts:

Search keywords : carer Champions

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

A louder clearer voice with decision makers

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

We work with local, national, and devolved governments to put the right legal, financial, and political structures in place, so Shared Lives works well. Over the last three years, we’ve campaigned for pay, for additional payments during covid, for respite to be provided and for carers to be compensated for lost respite. We also successfully campaigned for Shared Lives carers to be included in priority group B for Covid-19 vaccinations and a relaxation of the daily Lateral Flow testing guidelines in February. We’ve been representing you during the roll out of

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

universal credit, and we have escalated our influencing work with regular attendance and contribution to the social care All Party Parliamentary Group.

News and insight from the wider Shared Lives community

The Shared Lives community is large and diverse (see page 18). We bring you stories and news from across the network through Sharing - the membership magazine, in our fortnightly email bulletins, and across our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. If you’re not signed up to receive the email bulletins, contact membership@sharedlivesplus.org.uk.

Membership fees for Shared Lives Plus will increase in line with inflation at the beginning of April. On average this is an increase of less than 20p per month, per carer.

Membership fees for Shared Lives carers from April 1st will be as follows:

Basic membership (without insurance)

Full

(with insurance included)

Respite/short breaks membership (with insurance included)

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

In January 2022 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Healthwatch England relaunched their “because we all care” campaign. The campaign was designed to encourage more people to speak up and feedback about their or a loved one's care. CQC says that it is “positive, caring and personally empowering” for someone to be able to give feedback on their own health. One of the aims of the campaign is to create a strong feedback culture, which will strengthen relationships between people receiving care and the people providing it.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

Supporting good health

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

At Shared Lives Plus, we strongly agree that it is important for people supported by Shared Lives, and those who care for them, to feel empowered when it comes to their health and care. We believe that equal healthcare is a basic right, and that people supported by Shared Lives have the same right to access and receive quality healthcare as everybody else. We also believe that they should also be supported to make healthy choices, and to enjoy good mental and physical health as far as possible.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

We understand that sometimes a person may lack capacity to make an informed decisions about this specific aspect of their care or treatment. In these cases, any decisions should be made in the person’s best interest.

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Shared Lives Plus has created a piece of guidance about how to support good health for people supported by Shared Lives. The guidance outlines the rights that we all have regarding healthcare treatments we receive.

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

These rights include:

Key facts:

Freedom from discrimination based on protected characteristics

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

Having treatment explain in a way that the individual can understand

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

The right to see our own medical records

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

The right to give, or withhold, consent before any healthcare professional can examine or treat us

People supported by Shared Lives also have the right to choose their health professional, as far as this is reasonable

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Shared Lives carers have an essential role in proactively supporting the people they care for to access the health resources they are entitled to.

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

For more information on the “because we care” campaign, go to: www.cqc.org.uk/help-advice/give-feedback-care/because-we-all-carecampaign-stakeholder-toolkit

Search keywords: supporting good health

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

Our work for you

Our carer Champions have been in post for almost three years now and have established themselves, and the carer support helpline, as a vital part of our membership offer. Between them, they take nearly 1,000 calls per year providing support, information, and advice to Shared Lives carer members on a broad range of subjects such as safeguarding allegations, emotional support, training, benefits, and signposting to legal or tax professionals when appropriate.

Members tell us that they trust the Champions and have confidence in them because they have first-hand experience of being Shared Lives carers themselves, and understand how challenging the work is, particularly dealing with the restrictions during the pandemic.

These are just some of the messages we have had from Shared Lives carers:

“‘Advice and first steps to help us to set up a carers group was invaluable!”

“You have been my rock, thank you so very much for all your help, support and understanding, you’re amazing. I would not have coped without you!”

“Thank you I’m so grateful, it’s the first time I’ve been able to discuss this with anyone and I feel so much lighter for it.”

“I received payment for 12 nights! Thanks for your help in making this payment forthcoming.”

We are seeing great results following the introduction of multi-agency discussions where we help to mediate and rebuild carer/scheme relationships. We do this by encouraging open communication and acting as informal advocates when the carer is in crisis and can’t represent themselves effectively.

What else have we been doing?

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Over the past 12 months:

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

Adding a Policy Officer to our membership team has been transformative for our support to members. The role is in place to keep on top of all policy issues related to Shared Lives across all four nations. It has already paid dividends with excellent results on fire safety policy and, since Covid-19, adapting and tailoring generic government guidance to the specifics of Shared Lives, providing crucial, relevant, and appropriate support for Shared Lives schemes and carers.

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

This role has also increased our capacity to influence policy makers in government and we have been attending regular Zoom meetings at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) throughout the pandemic, representing the views of members. This has been so important during the last two years, and we have been successful in changing government policy, so it takes into consideration the specific needs of people living and working in Shared Lives.

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

One carer told us “I have really appreciated the efforts that all SLP staff have made to support us all over the last 12 months, it can’t have been easy I’m sure, so thank you all”.

There are now 13 carer-led support groups across the UK, for carers within a scheme to come together to support each other, and to use their shared voice to improve things within that Shared Lives scheme. We are keen for members in every scheme to be able to connect to each other like this.

To find out whether your scheme has a carerled support group up and running yet, call us on 0151 227 3499 or search on sharedlivesplus. org.uk.

Search keywords:

carer led support groups

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

We partnered with Voiceability, an advocacy organisation who provide support so that people are heard in decisions about their own health, care, and wellbeing. Co-production and partnership working are high up on the Shared Lives Plus agenda.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

Our Champions received training from the Law Centre Network, and the British Institute of Human Rights, to enhance their understanding of how legislation can help improve the lives of Shared Lives carers. They have used this to help carers advocate for their rights and the rights of those they support.

We liaised with Blue Light Card to ensure that carers were able to take advantage of the discounts they offer to health and care workers and managed this process internally.

Key facts:

We secured expert legal advice to inform our guidance on self-employment for Shared Lives carers in light of the Supreme Court ruling in the Uber case.

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

We want all Shared Lives carers to feel:

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

1. Valued and respected by other social care professionals (e.g. scheme workers and commissioners), the government, and the general public

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

2. Confident in their caring role

3. Emotionally, financially, and practically supported

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

Let us know if we can help you, on any issue, no matter how large or small, by getting in touch via the Shared Lives carer helpline –0151 227 3499.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

Stacey Dooley meets Richard and Paul

Paul and Richard Jordan, who have a learning disability, featured in Stacey Dooley's latest podcast series, Fresh Starts, on BBC Sounds released this January. Their interview follows hot on the heels of Dooley’s first podcast with engaged couple Holly and Geoffrey, who live with Shared Lives carers from Shared Lives South West scheme, who we will feature in our next issue. You can listen to both interviews on BBC Sounds on your phone or online.

Dooley heard how the twins, Paul and Richard, 35, had lived with Glennis, their aunt in Newport for many years. She was their only carer and cared for nearly every aspect of their lives. Their world was turned upside down when she was suddenly admitted to hospital in 2020, diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and given just six weeks to live.

Paul said: “We found ourselves in the worst situation we could have ever imagined, our aunt and only carer was admitted into hospital and sadly passed away soon after. We were grieving, terrified of being alone, not knowing how to look after ourselves.”

With things happening so quickly, the men were in danger of being left on the street when their aunt passed away. But the quick thinking of family friends alerted Newport social services, who referred the men to their local Shared Lives service.

But when a carer is needed immediately - perhaps because of an unforeseen breakdown at home - naturally it can be hard to find someone compatible with suitable accommodation at such short notice. They were at risk of being separated.

The twins were faced with homelessness and separation after losing their only carer, their aunty.

Then, as if by fate, staff at South East Wales

Shared Lives scheme found carer Tina Mustoe from Rogiet who welcomed the twins into her home with open arms. It also happened that she had two free bedrooms.

Who are householders?

Shared Lives co-ordinator Sam Temby said: "It was absolute fate. We try our best to match people with compatible carers and she happened to have two free bedrooms. We've got some carers who would have been suitable, but trying to find emergency accommodation is hard enough, let alone trying to find it for two."

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

The first month with Tina was a rollercoaster of emotions as the twins struggled to come to terms with their aunt’s passing, and a new and unfamiliar life. Soon after, the first Covid-19 lockdown hit which brought fresh worries affecting the funeral arrangements, and longer-term, their future together.

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Yet with Tina’s patient, dedicated and compassionate support, the twins began to build a new life. Tina made it clear that she had no intention of splitting them up, and that they could stay with her as long as they wanted to. They showed tremendous resilience and began to grow in other ways

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

too. They learned practical skills like cooking and began to experience life in a fuller sense, exploring the outdoors through wild fruitpicking and spending time with Tina’s horses. They also had a far greater say in how they lived – expressing their wishes and ambitions and coming to mutual agreements with Tina about how to reach their goals.

Who are homesharers?

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

“Since we meet Tina our lives have changed so much! We are learning new skills all the time and coping mechanisms on managing anxiety and grief. For the first time in our lives we are in control of what our care and support looks like. We’ve experienced so many new things together as a family and look forward to the future.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

“We are constantly building our confidence, skills and overcoming long standing fears, especially in the in the kitchen and now love practising our signature dish of spaghetti bolognese with Tina’s support.”

When Stacey Dooley’s team heard about the twins’ story, they arranged to meet them at their home, where recording took place in December last year. The episode was released in January and has been listened to over 30,000 times so far!

Key facts:

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!

Householder - London

Stacey Dooley meets Richard and Paul

All social distancing guidance in place at the time was followed during the visit.

Ask your carer support team

Question:

We’re joint carers who get public liability insurance through our scheme. Do we really need joint carer membership of Shared Lives Plus if we can get most of the membership benefits with a single carer membership?

Answer:

Joint carers with a single carer membership can still take advantage of the discounts and support that Shared Lives Plus offer - as long as everything goes through the named member. But there are some aspects of membership which cannot be shared with non-members. In particular, the access to legal advice and legal expenses.

The legal expenses cover included in our basic and full membership provides up to £100,000 of cover. This gives you access to legal advice and support from specialist solicitors if someone makes a claim against you, you face de-approval as a Shared Lives carer, or face other legal issues related to your role as a Shared Lives carer.

However, this cover only applies to named carer members. If you have a single carer membership in your name, but your nonmember partner is faced with legal problems, they will not be able to access the legal advice or legal expenses cover, and would be responsible for finding, and paying for, their own legal support.

The difference in price between single and joint basic carer membership is less than 30p a week.

Search keywords: legal support

Who are homesharers?

Question:

I provide day support to someone who pays with a direct payment. Can they still pay with a direct payment if they move in with me on a long term, live-in basis?

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Answer:

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

Since the introduction of the Care Act in 2014, everyone who receives funding to pay for their social care has the right to ask for a personal budget and to take it as a direct payment. Direct payments in Shared Lives can be used to pay for live in, short breaks or day support and can be combined with other forms of personalised support.

The type of support is not relevant, what matters is the relationship set up between the Shared Lives carer, direct payment holder, and Shared Lives scheme.

Key facts:

In England, direct payments are only possible if the scheme is independent of the local authority. Where the council runs the Shared Lives scheme and direct payments are not possible, a managed personal budget can be used. In either case, it is the Shared Lives scheme that should be paid by direct payment, not the Shared Lives carer.

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

If the person you support pays you directly for care, rather than through the scheme, you create a situation which could lead to a conflict of interest and jeopardise your status as a Shared Lives carer. (See Sharing Vol 34 for more on this)

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

The point of personal budgets, whether taken as a direct payment or not, is to give people more choice over their care, so the financial mechanism used should be secondary to ensuring the individual has choice and control.

Search keywords: direct payments

A person that enjoys passing on their skills

We know from talking with carers that many of you have had a long, difficult winter, and are feeling flat and fed up. But as we move into spring and the days start to get longer and warmer, we hope you can find at least a few moments to stop and smell the daffodils. Steve can't wait to be able to get out into the garden and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning sun.

2022 started off with a positive first “Your Voice” forum. Many thanks to all of you that attended and contributed to such a strong start to this new venture. We hope it will develop to be a force for good and and ensure carers are represented throughout Shared Lives Plus' work. Your Champs are already working on some of the issues that came up during the meeting (see page 16).

One issue that we know you are particularly concerned about is the ongoing increase in the cost of living, and the fact the service contributions have not kept up with the recent rise in household bills - and as we have seen in the news, energy bills are set to rise considerably. Our colleagues are looking into what they can do to improve things for Shared Lives carers across the country, but please remember that you are not alone. If you are concerned or worried about your personal situation, or just want someone to lend an understanding ear, call us – it's what we’re here for.

After a few initial hiccups, we’re delighted that so many of you are now able to sign up for a Blue Light discount card, which has strict eligibility criteria. Helen has been supporting a dozen members per week with their applications and has recently sent out her 250th ‘proof of eligibility’ letter. We love hearing about all the discounts and benefits you’re taking advantage of with the card, and we’re always on the lookout for more opportunities like this for Shared Lives carers.

As ever, if you need support with anything from discount cards to de-approval, call the carer helpline on 0151 227 3499, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We’ll be back in the next issue of Sharing, but in the meantime, be kind to yourselves and remember to look after your own wellbeing.

Steve Collis

Helen Piscioneri

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Supporting, and listening to our Network

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

In January 2022 Shared Lives Plus hosted the first Your Voice forums, an opportunity for our members to find out about our plans and share their insight and expertise to help shape the future of Shared Lives Plus.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

During the meeting, interim CEO Jayne Wilson shared what we have been doing in recent months and outlined our key priorities over the next year.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

Strengthening our core support

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

The work we do to support our Shared Lives carer and scheme members is our bread and butter, and our core strand of work – and it always will be. We want to continue to improve what we offer as part of membership. For instance, we have listened to your feedback about training and are in the process of making it more specific to the work you do. We are also looking at what else we can offer our members, like the new tax helpline (see page 2).

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Focusing on growth and development of all our programmes

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Key facts:

The inclusion of Shared Lives in the latest social care plan from Westminster is a great opportunity for us, and we are looking into how we can make the most of it for everyone in Shared Lives and Homeshare in the UK.

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

We are also about to begin some work on increasing referrals to Shared Lives schemes – thinking about how we can help generate and help schemes and social workers process referrals more effectively, so you have the arrangements and work you want.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

And you will also be hearing more about our quality project, supporting good practice across the sector. We are encouraging schemes to use the Shared Lives Charter and Ambassador test to identify areas for improvement and commit to that improvement.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Continuing our work around advocacy and influencing

Alex Fox did a brilliant job of raising the profile of Shared Lives and Shared Lives Plus.

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

His work as our CEO has left us in a very strong position. The strength and depth of expertise across the organisation means that we can continue to make sure our Shared Lives carers unique role is considered in any workforce developments – as we have over vaccines nationally.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

Looking at how Shared Lives Plus is organised and structured

We’re a growing organisation, especially with the recent significant investment in Homeshare UK - and as we grow, there will be some changes. But our purpose will stay the same, and our aim will always be to help you grow and develop.

We want to make sure we have the funding, resources, and structure in place to do that effectively. Launching and developing Your Voice is a big part of that, since the elected chairs of the forums will sit on our board of trustees and represent our members at the highest level of the organization.

We feel a good process for electing these forum chairs is to hold a type of hustings at the 3rd forum meeting in July, where candidates can talk about why they want to do the role and why they are the best candidate. The candidates will then speak to the board in an informal interview, with the top three going to a members vote for selection.

The forum also featured a wide ranging and open discussion which was mediated by the chair of our board of trustees Richard Jones. The topics for discussion were:

How can we make what we do more sustainable?

What should Shared Lives Plus be doing more of, and what should we be doing less of?

What do you think the biggest challenges will be for Shared Lives and Homeshare, post pandemic – and what can we do about them?

What issues do you think we should be campaigning on?

Several subjects were raised during the meeting, but two issues were of significant concern to carer members.

You told us that you were concerned about the increase in the cost of living, and that carers income hasn’t increased with the rate of inflation. Carers also raised the suggestion that we should be campaigning for an increase in Qualifying Care Relief.

We have begun to work with schemes to get a clear picture of differing rates of household contributions across the UK, and we will consult with the wider membership about whether to launch a campaign around QCR.

While QCR has a significant impact on Shared Lives carers income, it is a form of tax relief and not a guaranteed statutory benefit. A campaign highlighting QCR carries the potential risk that the government could decide to reduce the rate of QCR, if they felt it was an area where they could save some money. So, any campaign we launch around QCR must have broad support from Shared Lives Plus carer members, with the understanding that an unsuccessful campaign could leave many of you less well off than you are now.

You also told us that it was very important for you to have the opportunity to connect with other Shared Lives carers.

We agree. We believe it is vital for carers to be able to connect with each other, support each other, and speak with a shared voice to tackle issues together. We are working with schemes across the country to set up carer-led groups to facilitate this at a local level. We have also listened to your feedback about how much you valued being able to get to know carers from other parts of the country, and we are talking to members about how we can make this happen.

Who are householders?

Shared Lives Awards 2022

Nominations for this years Shared Lives awards open during Shared Lives week, but it’s never too soon to start thinking about who you want to put forward.

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

The award categories are:

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

Outstanding Shared Lives carer of the year

The human rights award for free expression (for someone who is supported in Shared Lives)

Who are homesharers?

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

Shared Lives Champions

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

The award for scheme innovation

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

Search on sharedlivesplus.org.uk to find out more about how to nominate, and read more about some of our past winners.

Search keywords: awards 2022

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Next meeting -10:30am

Thursday

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Key facts:

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

21st April, on Zoom

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

Agenda:

An update on the CEO recruitment

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Update on Shared Lives Plus' work since the last Your Voice

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Discussion topic: "What makes a good Shared Lives scheme?"

Break out rooms and group discussion

Determine the topic for next forum

You can share your thoughts on the discussion topic with us in advance, or during the meeting.

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

Search keywords: Your Voice carers forum

Householder - London

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Shared Lives: a network of support

Since the first 'adult placements' over 40 years ago, Shared Lives has grown into a flexible, personal model of care. One which draws its strength not only from the individuals and organisations within it, but from the connections between the different parts of the network. Here's an illustrated guide to how it all fits together.

Shared Lives and the supported person

At the centre of every Shared Lives arrangement is someone who needs support. They are given this support by a network of people and organisations which could include, social services, the NHS, charities, the DWP, their friends and family, personal assistants, and of course their Shared Lives scheme and carer.

Shared Lives arrangements can last for years, or even decades, but they have to start somewhere, and the path to Shared Lives goes through several steps.

The path to Shared Lives

Shared Lives: a network of support

In almost all cases, the path to Shared Lives begins with an assessment of someone's needs. This could be a formal assessment by a local authority, NHS, or HSC trust, or sometimes an informal assessment by the person’s family, or the person themselves.

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Once everyone is happy to go ahead with the match, an arrangement agreement is drawn up between the person using the service, the Shared Lives carer, the scheme, and anyone else involved in commissioning the service (e.g. a family member).

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

The person looking for support is then referred to a local Shared Lives scheme. From there the scheme begins the matching process, introducing suitable Shared Lives carers, and giving all participants the time and space to get to know each other, before making a long-term commitment.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

The role of the Shared Lives scheme

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

Shared Lives is a specific form of care, defined by the care regulator in each nation (Care Quality Commission, Care Inspectorate Scotland, Care Inspectorate Wales and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) as a service provided by a Shared Lives scheme.

So, while Shared Lives carers are the people delivering Shared Lives care, the scheme, as the provider, carries the administrative and regulatory burden.

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Every path, every arrangement, and every network of support is unique. But they all share the crucial element - the Shared Lives schemes and values of personal matching and mutual benefit.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

Some elements of Shared Lives support are what are known as ‘regulated activities’. For instance, helping someone with washing or bathing - either physically, or through prompting and supervision - falls under the regulated activity of ‘personal care’.

Key facts:

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

Schemes that provide personal care must, by law, be registered with the care regulator, and regularly inspected. However, individual Shared Lives carers do not need to be registered with the care regulator, because they are assessed, approved and supported by the scheme.

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Schemes are also legally responsible for the quality and safety of care in each of their Shared Lives arrangements. It is their duty to monitor care and safeguard those receiving care.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Schemes are responsible for:

Recruiting, assessing, approving and training Shared Lives carers

Matching people who need support with suitable Shared Lives carers

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

Supporting and monitoring Shared Lives arrangements

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

Supported Person Shared Lives Carer

Shared Lives Scheme

Shared Lives schemes around the UK

There are 150 Shared Lives schemes in the UK. Two thirds are run directly by the local authority in an area, and the rest are independently run by charities or a Community Interest Company (CIC).

Since most Shared Lives arrangements are funded through the local authority/Health and Social Care Trust (HSC) social care provision, there is often a strong link between the location of a Shared Lives scheme and the boundaries of the local authority/HSC. In many cases there is one scheme per local authority/HSC and one local authority/HSC per scheme - but it’s not like that everywhere.

Some schemes cover a large geographic area and more than one local authority, like Shared Lives South West and Cornerstone in Scotland. Other areas, like Leeds, have more than one Shared Lives scheme. And there are still a few places in the UK where there is no Shared Lives provision at all.

Schemes vary considerably in size too. There are some schemes with just a handful of Shared Lives carers supporting a handful of people, and others with more than 200 Shared Lives carers or 300 supported people. Some schemes have a sizeable proportion of carers who only do day support or short breaks, while others only have carers who offer long term support.

Since Shared Lives can be suitable for people with a wide range of support needs, different schemes can have vastly different profiles. 75% of people supported in Shared Lives in England have support needs related to a learning disability, autism, or Asperger’s, but in Scotland, 50% of people living or visiting a Shared Lives carer have support needs related to old age or dementia. And while people with support needs related to mental ill health make up only 2% of placements in Scotland, they account for 7% of placements in England and more than 10% in Wales.

With this much variety, there really is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Shared Lives scheme, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Trying to standardise every Shared Lives scheme would be like trying to standardise every Shared Lives arrangement. The strength of the model is in its flexibility, and in the ability of the network to adapt to the needs of the individuals it supports.

Everyone supported in Shared Lives should be able to expect the same high standard of care, and every Shared Lives carer should feel confident and secure in their role, wherever they are in the country – and that’s where we come in.

Shared Lives Plus

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Regulatory bodies

Carer Members

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Health and social care organisations Related national groups and charities

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Scheme Members

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

Shared Lives Plus is the only membership charity working for Shared Lives carers and schemes across the whole of the UK. We’re here to provide a central hub of support and information for the rest of the network - including Shared Lives schemes and carers, social workers, regulatory bodies, and government ministers.

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

We talk to our members to understand what’s happening at a local level, we connect schemes and carers to each other to share and develop best practice, and we provide a

Shared Lives ... And?

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

As well as supporting Shared Lives we are also the national network for Homeshare, which connects people with spare rooms with people who are happy to chat and lend a hand around the house in return for affordable, sociable accommodation. We have recently been awarded significant funding to support Homeshare in the UK, and in 2022 we are expanding our work in this area by setting up new Homeshare services in the North West and North East of England.

national voice, and single point of reference, for people outside Shared Lives.

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

We want to grow Shared Lives into a popular mainstream option for people across the UK, and we are delighted that Sajid Javid the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has enthusiastically supported the Shared Lives model. In his recent speech on health and social care reform he announced that the government “will work with local authorities to help grow their Shared Lives scheme”.

Key facts:

Despite the name, Shared Lives is only one part of what we do. Our mission is to build communities where everyone lives a full life regardless of the support they need, and our vision is a kinder, stronger society built on sharing our lives and our homes.

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

We are also pioneering a model of family peer support in the UK. Family by Family helps ‘seeking’ families who are going through a tough time, by linking them with ‘sharing’ families who have been through tough times and come out the other side, and providing an encouraging environment supported by a family coach. Our pilot project in Stoke-onTrent is having positive results and we are hoping to bring Family by Family to other areas very soon.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”

Householder - London

National and devolved governments

Local authority representatives and associations

Shared Lives Homeshare UK Family by Family

Useful phone numbers

Who are householders? Who are homesharers?

Membership enquiries:

Shared Lives Plus Office 0151 227 3499 info@sharedlivesplus .org.uk

UK Tax Return Service:

NB There is a charge for this service

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their own home.

Shared Lives Plus carer helpline:  0151 227 3499

They may have support needs or may have become isolated or anxious about living alone.

Intellect Business Services: Jayne Barrett 0121 794 2289 currently £160 inc. VAT.

For legal expenses enquiries

0330 303 1876

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

To make a claim on your legal expenses cover: ARAG 0117 917 1698

Professional students looking for an alternative to halls or student housing.

Insurance:

A person that enjoys passing on their skills and experience to enrich the lives of those that Homeshare with them.

A message will be taken and one of the carer support team will call you back

Mortgage advice:

Mortgage Brain: Katie/Marcus 0800 987 1700

BWM Accountants: Sue Stephens 0151 236 1494 currently £175 + VAT

Legal advice:

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer at home

Benefit advice:

Jackson Lees 0151 541 0240

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique match between the person you’ve got in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Find out more

Key public service workers who cannot afford housing where they work.

Towergate main line 0113 236 8603

A person that is happy to give their time to support the needs of older people.

Public liability queries: Craig Pinches 07515 629473

General telephone legal advice on any legal matter, including de-approval

Jackson Lees 0151 541 0240  where you will be put through to the relevant department

For Household/Travel/ Motor Insurance:

Christine Howard 0113 236 8603

Christine.Howard@ towergate.co.uk

Key facts:

No personal care is involved, only practical support and companionship is provided.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

To find out more about anything in this issue, search on sharedlivesplus.org.uk using the suggested search keywords

Search keywords: Sharing 36

www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

info@sharedlivesplus.org.uk

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. The Homeshare is supported and carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Homesharing is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Householder - London

Reg Charity number (England and Wales) 1095562 Company number 4511426 Reg Charity No (Scotland) SC042743

The householder and homesharer both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

“ It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admit it I do need a bit of extra help round the house – I’m not getting any younger!”