Sharing Magazine Vol 37

Vol 37 May 2022

Sharing Magazine for the shared living network

Shared Lives Week 2022

Qualifying Care Relief

Page 6

Page 12

Celebrating the best of Shared Lives June 13th-17th

What it is and how it works in Shared Lives

Our cover stars Holly and Geoffrey are a real Shared Lives love story. Find out more on page 20.

www.sharedlivesplus.org.uk

0151 227 3499

Contents Welcome

1

Shared Lives Plus turns 30

2

Shared Lives Awards 2022

5

Shared Lives Week: June 13-17th

6

Your Voice report and update

8

Cost of living increases

10

Qualifying Care Relief

12

Ask your carer support team

14

Shared Lives Plus annual conference

16

Champions Corner

18

Carer profile: Lana Harber

19

Stacey Dooley meets Holly and Geoffrey

20

Do you know someone supported by, or working in, Shared Lives who has excelled over the past year?

Has the person who lives with, or visits you done something that deserves special recognition? Why not show your appreciation for them by nominating them for a Shared Lives Award, see page 5 for details.

Welcome

Jayne Wilson,

Who are householders? Director of development and

acting CEO, Shared Lives Plus

Who are homesharers?

Welcome to the summer 2022 edition of Sharing, where we are Often older people or people who need Typically, younger people – creating celebrating all things Shared Lives, past, present, and future. informal support to continue living in their an intergenerational match. own home.

In June, we’re celebrating 30 years since we were set up. We spoke Professional students looking for an to our President Sue Newton MBE, who brought together a diverse They may have support needs or may alternative to halls or student housing. network organisations and caring people to create something very have become isolated or anxiousofabout special which lasts today. We also talk withservice some of you who’ve been living alone.

Key public workers who cannot there from the very start, taking aafford trip down memory lane, casting housing where theyand work.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills our thoughts ahead to what Shared Lives could look like in 2052 (p2). and experience to enrich the lives of those A person that is happy to give their time that Homeshare with them. to support the needsLives of older As a membership organisation, the future of Shared Pluspeople. will be shaped by people like you, and we are pleased that so many of you are taking part in the Your Voice member forums (p8). These forums are designed to make sure that Shared Lives carers voices are heard within the organisation at every level, including board level, with a carer member Make a match to enable an elected as forum chair.

older person to live longer We want to make sure the role of forum chair is accessible to anyone at home who has an interest in it, and we are committed to providing a high

Welcome

level of support. If you would like to know more you can arrange an Each Homeshare match is bespoke and Key facts: director, by emailing informal chat with Lynette Barlow, our finance agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local lynette@sharedlivesplus.org.uk.

Homeshare provider can make a unique No personal care is involved, match between the person you’ve got only practical supporther androle we’ve got a profile of Lana Harber, who combines in mind, and a homesharerThis whoissue, has the companionship provided. a Shared Lives carer with her job as a senior socialisworker (p19). right interests and skills to as support them.

And we catch-up with Holly and Geoffrey - the stars of Stacey All Homeshare participants are Once a match is made, youDooley’s will have Fresh Starts podcast. Theirs is such an inspiring story of vetted, and matches are based peace of mind that the person you’re love and acceptance, and a wonderfulon example of what is and possible interests, lifestyle hobbies. supporting has the best support possible with Shared Lives (p20).

The Homeshare is supported and for them as an individual. carefully monitored by a local Speaking of inspiring, we were so impressed by the wonderful Homeshare organisation. photos submitted for last year’s Shared Lives Week photo exhibition, Homesharing is notShared a rentalLives service, that we’ve decided to have another exhibition this year. so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Week is just around the corner (June 13-17), and you can find out more

“It’s given me a new perspective on life and about the exhibition and the other events planned for Shared Lives The householder and homesharer even though I hate toon pages 6-7.

Week 2022 both pay a fee to their local admit it I do need a bit Homeshare organisation to cover With the uncertainty and strain of cost of living rises, war, and social the costs of their ongoing service of extra help round the care under pressure, we hope this issue Sharing brings you aThe little andofmonitoring support. of hope through members’ stories,homesharer and supportwill from the legaltoand contribute the house – I’m notbitgetting policy information which underpins your role. householder towards utility bills. any younger!”

Householder - London

Thank you, for everything you do to support people to live fulfilling and independent lives.

1

Shared Lives Plus turns 30

Our President’s reflections Sue Newton MBE The organisation we know as Shared Lives Plus is 30 this year, but the story of Shared Lives in the UK starts almost 15 years earlier than that. During the 1970s people were looking for better ways to look after people, moving away from the old forms of institutional care.

I had just graduated from Liverpool University as a social worker and was working with PSS in Liverpool at the time, and we got funding from the council to develop support for older people, just £2,000 a year for 3 years.

We needed to come up with a creative solution so I spoke to as many people as I could, people working in social care, older people, and a professor of social care at the university. PSS encouraged me to try something different and take risks. The idea of people going to live with a carer wasn’t new, it was already happening in small pockets around the country, but there was nothing joining these carers together, and nothing like that in Liverpool.

Liverpool was a great place to try something new like this because it’s a big port, and people are used to accepting people from different walks of life. I went out and talked to people about our idea, to find people in the community who would take people into their homes, and I found some incredible carers that way.

As things began to grow, I realised we needed to bring together what was happening in different parts of the country, we didn’t even have a

2

name for what we were all doing at the time. The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) set up a special interest group for people doing what we were doing, and we settled on calling it Adult Placement. Before long I was doing research into how to start a charity and applying to the DHSS for funding to get us started. On June 30th, 1992, the National Association of Adult Placement Schemes (NAAPS) was born.

You need organisations like BASW and government to see ideas and bring people together. We couldn’t have done it without their backing which really helped us to grow.

We started with 14 schemes dotted across the country, 40 adult placement social workers, and around 3,000 carers. We created our own best practice, working out how to do things, how to handle things like income tax.

Then the government stepped in, and everyone was quite excited. Initially they didn’t know how to regulate us; were we social care? Housing? They weren’t sure. What they did know was that whatever we were, it was working. They saw people who had previously been in institutions and long stay communities living happily in family homes.

I retired from PSS in 2003 and was made President of Shared Lives Plus, as NAAPS became, and kept strong links with the wider social care community. One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in adult social care is the way services use modern technology - which is something I’m starting to struggle with a bit at 83 years old. It makes life go so quickly, so it can be hard to slow down. But the interaction between Shared Lives carers and the people they support, the love and connection, is still there the fundamental idea of opening your home and heart to someone else, hasn’t changed. It is a priceless gift; long may it prosper.

Shared Lives Plus turns 30

Who are householders?

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

They may have support needs or may

Maureen and Gerald Long about and family have become isolated or anxious living alone.

Keeping it in the family. Maureen and Gerald A person enjoys passing on theirLives skills Long werethat Lancashire’s first Shared and experience to enrich the lives of those carers.

Though they may have retired, their that Homeshare with them. good work continues - daughters Margi and Pauline, and grandchildren Peter and Ashleigh are all Shared Lives carers now.

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 Margi says housing "we've had three generations of afford where they work. caring and sharing - and our experiences person that isbut happy to give time haveAbeen nothing positive andtheir happy". to support the needs of older people.

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

"In the early days Shared Lives arrangements were treated as a ‘for life’ placement, with often no thought of progression to more independent living, and little focus on development of the people supported.

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.

Things are much more person Key facts: centered now which is much better, as is No thepersonal mix of care with careavailable is involved, only practical support and short breaks and day support as well companionship is provided. as long term arrangements.

Once a match is made, you will have peace of mind that the person you’re Marie Reilly supporting has the best support possible for Marie them as an individual. qualified as a social worker in 1975.

She has been involved with Shared Lives/ adult placement in Islington since it started in 1984, when she helped set up the borough's first arrangement, and recruit their first Shared Lives carer, Cathy McDonagh – who retired last year and won our 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other 1992 news

“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 The getting Cones Hotline any younger!”

Homeshare are In theAllnext 30 yearsparticipants I’d like to see vetted, and matches are based Shared Lives being offered to a wider on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. range of people, with more younger The Homeshare is supported and carers and more connections with carefully monitored by a local family carers. Maybe by 2052 we Homeshare organisation. could rethink how accommodation works in Shared Lives too.

Housing Homesharing is not a rental service, soexpensive a homesharer doesn’tWhat pay rent. is very in London. if housing could be provided as part of The householder and homesharer the Shared Lives service?" 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 Fever Pitch book Absolutely Fabulous householder towards utility bills.

by Nick Hornby TV show

Householder - London

3

Mandi Pryer works for Aspire Shared Lives in Salford

Lisa Ennis and her husband Michael are Shared Lives carers with East Sussex Shared Lives

Mandi qualified as a social worker in 1986, starting in supported tenancy, and moving into adult placement in 1988.

“I started purely managing respite, but our local authority quickly brought various elements together. My team working with people with a learning disability, another team working with older people, and the embryonic idea of long-term placement.

There was no documentation specific to Shared Lives to start with, we had to adapt forms and processes from fostering, because that was the closest available option. If you wanted to get more information about adult placements, you had to physically go to another scheme and talk to another social worker, this would often be someone from a children’s respite care scheme.

And in those early days, we kept falling foul of the fact that the principle of Shared Lives didn’t exist within any legal framework. That’s the major thing that NAAPS and later Shared Lives Plus have carried forward - the work around registration & tax has been invaluable.

The creation of the library of documents that we can all use has also made a huge difference. These days, Shared Lives Plus are solving problems for us before we know we even have them, which is marvelous.

In 30 years’, time, I think we’re going to see more multi-generational Shared Lives households, with the adult children of Shared Lives carers taking over the caring role from their parents. And I’d like to see more resources to support people who need palliative care, so their Shared Lives home can truly be their last home - if that’s what they want of course."

4

Lisa with her mum Gaye, her children, and Ian who she still supports in Shared Lives today "I became a carer for Hastings and Rother in 1987 when our first supported person came to live with us. He was joined by another gentleman in 1989 and both of these wonderful gentleman still live with us today.

My mum was a Family Placement Carer in London, and she was the one who recommended NAAPS to me. But our local scheme weren’t members at the time, so I think I became an associate member through her scheme in Camden.

Our local scheme closed down for a few years and we all had to become small registered homes. This was a particularly difficult time as insurance companies didn’t really understand us. Public liability insurance was astronomical, and getting a mortgage was almost impossible.

When our scheme re-formed around 1997 we all became Adult Placement Carers, which meant full membership of NAAPS with public liability insurance included. This and the tax allowances that NAAPS/Shared Lives Plus fought to get us made a huge difference to our financial situation.

For me though, the thing I was most grateful for in those early days was the support network. I really enjoyed hearing what other carers were doing and how schemes up and down the country were forming and growing."

Shared Lives Awards 2022

Who are Who are Sohouseholders? many of you have given so much homesharers?

in recent months, and the Shared Lives Awards are just one small way to say big Often older people or people who need Typically, younger people – creating thank you on behalf of everybody who informal support to continue living in their an intergenerational match. own home. has made a massive difference this year.

Professional students looking for an

shared lives plus

Shared Lives Awards 2022

They may have support needs or may alternative to halls or student housing. have become isolated or anxious about Do you know someone who fitsKey thepublic bill:service workers who cannot living alone. afford housing where they work.

Shared Lives carer of the year A person that enjoysOutstanding passing on their skills

and experience to enrich the lives of those A person that is happy to give their time The human rights award for free expression that Homeshare with them. to support the needs of older people. (for people supported in Shared Lives) Shared Lives champions (in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) The award for scheme innovation

Make a match to enable an older person to live longer Your nomination must be supported by three at home other people:

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and Key facts: agreed on a case-by-caseAbasis.

Your localcarer Shared Lives Homeshare provider can make a unique No personal care is involved, A scheme worker match between the person you’ve got only practical support and in mind, and a homesharer who has the companionship Someone who lives with or visits a Shared Lives carer is provided. right interests and skills to support them.

The Shared Lives Awards are presented at the annual conference All Homeshare participants are Once a match is made, you will have in October (see page 16 for more detail) vetted, and matches are based peace of mind that the person you’re on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. supporting has the best support possible The Homeshare is supported and for them as an individual. carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

“It’s given me aHow new to nominate: Homesharing is not a rental service, perspective on Nominations life and open officially on - so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

Mondayto 13th June The householder and homesharer even though I hate both pay a fee to their local admit it I do need a bit to cover You can get your nominations in earlyHomeshare by going toorganisation the costs of their ongoing service sharedlivesplus.org.uk/awards-2022 of extra help round the and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the house – I’m notNominations gettingclose at householder towards utility bills. any younger!” 5pm Friday 15th July Householder - London 5

Shared Lives Week: June 13-17th 6

This Shared Lives Week we are celebrating the best of Shared Lives and highlighting the incredible work that Shared Lives carers like you do day-in and day-out. There will be events up and down the country, and online – and if you want to host an event yourself, we’re here to lend a hand.

Shining a spotlight on short breaks in Shared Lives Our Shared Lives Week campaign for 2022 will focus on the vital role of short breaks care, and the importance of short breaks to people supported by and working in Shared Lives. We will be raising awareness of the opportunities available through short breaks and launching a nationwide campaign to recruit more short breaks Shared Lives carers.

Are you a short breaks carer?

Would you like us to share your story during Shared Lives Week?

If so, drop us a line: press@sharedlivesplus.org.uk.

The Big Share Word of mouth is still the single best way of introducing someone new to Shared Lives, so this Shared Lives Week why not hold a Big Share tea party, or picnic, and invite your friends, neighbours, and maybe your local councillor. If you fancy flirting with a tiny bit of fame, you could even invite a reporter from the local newspaper or radio station - we can help you reach out to the media in your area.

Whoever you decide to invite to your event, remember to have fun, be safe, and take lots of pictures – we love seeing Shared Lives households getting together and enjoying themselves.

SECTION TITLE

Who are householders?

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.

Shared Lives Week events near you

Make a match to enable an Our event calendar goes longer live at the start older person to live of June.

From here you can find out what’s at home going on in your area, or tell us about an event you’re organising.

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and

agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique Search keywords: match between the person 'Shared Lives Week you’ve eventsgotcalendar' in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Get up tois£500 make your event Once a match made,to you will have peace of mind that the person you’re extra exciting! supporting has the best support possible for them as an individual.

Shared Lives carers can apply for a local event grant of up to £500 to turn your Shared Lives Week event into something special. If your event is eligible, you could spend this money on things like food and drink, decorations, or party games. Grant application forms are available in the members area of the website.

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

Who are homesharers?

Shared Lives Week Photo Exhibition Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Shared Lives carers sent us some wonderful photos last year for our Shared Lives Week Professional students looking for an photo exhibition, so we’ve decided to do alternative to halls or student housing. it again.

Key public service workers who cannot Thisafford year, the theme of thethey exhibition housing where work. is ‘change and growth’, to tie in with our annual conference.

You to can interpret A person that is happy give their time to support the needs of older people. the theme however you like, whether you want to: Share an achievement you are particularly proud of Send us some before and after pictures of something that has changed in your life Or just show us how much your hair has grown

Key facts:

We’d love to see your best ‘change and growth’ Noover personal careyear. is involved, photos from the last only practical support and companionship is provided.

To enter, you can submit your photos via our website, send them to us by email, or share on All Homeshare participants are social media – always remembering to tell us vetted, and matches are based a little bit on about who you are, what the photos interests, lifestyle and hobbies. are of, andThe who took them.is supported and Homeshare

carefully monitored by a local We’ll upload them to aorganisation. special album on Homeshare Facebook and you can vote for your favourites Homesharing is not a rental service, during Shared Lives Week. so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent.

More details on how to enter are on The householder and homesharer the website. both pay a fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover Search the keywords: costs of their ongoing service and support.

The 'change andmonitoring growth photo exhibition' homesharer will contribute to the householder towards utility bills.

Householder - London 7

Your Voice report and update

In April, we held the second of our new Your Voice member forums, where we listened to feedback from Shared Lives carer members and gave updates on what Shared Lives Plus is working on. There were discussions around the increase in the cost of living and Qualifying Care Relief, and you can read more about what we are doing in these areas on pages 10-11.

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Forum attendees split into smaller breakout groups to discuss the question “what does a good Shared Lives scheme look like?” To aid this discussion the groups looked at our “Shared Lives Charter” which Shared Lives carers worked with us to develop, and which sets out what a good scheme does. We wanted to know what Shared Lives carers liked about the charter, what they didn’t like, and what they thought was missing from it. We also discussed the extent to which they felt the charter reflected their experiences of working with their schemes.

In general, the feedback was that the charter was a good match for what Shared Lives carers felt schemes should do. However, there were also carer members who felt there were still some instances where schemes were not living up to the standards set in the charter.

Upcoming Your Voice Meeting Dates are: July 28th November 10th January 26th

One common point raised was that Shared Lives carers felt that they were being lumped in with other social care staff too often, particularly around learning and development. It’s a long-standing issue that Shared Lives carers do generic training that isn’t tailored to Shared Lives, but rather reflects care in a residential setting.

Several people noted that training often doesn’t take Shared Lives carers’ working patterns and time constraints into consideration. They also felt that there was a need for more work around safeguarding, so it better meets the needs of people living and working in Shared Lives. We are in the process of creating some Shared Lives specific online training courses, which we hope to make available to schemes in the coming months.

Communication was mentioned in all breakout groups as a key element of a good scheme. Shared Lives carers value schemes that are open in their communication, and that support and facilitate communication between carers. We are keen to support opportunities for carers to share their experience and ideas through our online forum, carer led groups, or by chatting with our Carer Champions.

Search keywords: 'Your Voice carer forum', 'carer led groups'

Your Voice report and update Opportunity to chair the Your Voice forum for a period of a year, with a chance of re-election for a Who furtherare two years.

householders?

The role: This role has two aspects, chairing the forum and acting as a trustee for the charity. This is a voluntary role, but all expenses are re-imbursed.

Often older people or people who need informal support to The continue Chairing meetings: chairliving will in their own home. manage the meetings, so they run smoothly and to time; ensuring all They may have support needs or may carer voices are heard and everyone have become isolated or anxious about has an opportunity to give their opinion. living alone.

They will need to be a good listener with good organisational A person that enjoysskills. passing on their skills

and experience to enrich the lives of those Shared Lives Pluswith staff will provide that Homeshare them. support for the new chair, including providing external training in how to chair meetings. Richard Jones, who chairs the Shared Lives Plus Board of Trustees will also co-chair the Your Voice Make a match to enable an forum for the first year, for additional older person to live longer support and guidance.

at home

The forum meets once a quarter, for Each Homeshare match is bespoke andto two hours - but the chair will need agreed on a case-by-case basis.

Your local be available for some planning time Homeshare provider can make a unique before each forum and some de-briefing match between the person you’ve got afterwards. They may also be needed in mind, and a homesharer who has the between forum meetings to liaise with right interests and skills to support them. carers, answer questions, give and receive feedback, work with thehave Shared Lives Once a matchand is made, you will Plus team to set the agenda and topics for peace of mind that the person you’re supporting has the best support possible future meetings. for them as an individual.

Acting as trustee. The chair of the forum will also sit on the Shared Lives Plus Board of Trustees to ensure the carer voice is heard across the organisation, including at Board level.

“It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to Trustees are required to attend four admit it I do need a bit Shared Lives Plus board meetings a and there is an round expectationthe that ofyear, extra help trustees will provide some support to house – I’m not getting the wider organisation, especially the Senior Team – based on their experience any younger!” and knowledge. More information about Householder - Londonand responsibilities trustee eligibility is available on the website.

Election process and timetable

Jul

Stage 1 - Nominate yourself: can WhoYou are nominate yourself by filling in a short homesharers? form on the website. Nominations open after the July Your Voice forum meeting and close on August 31st.

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Aug

StageProfessional 2 - Meet with the board: students looking for an Candidates will be invited to a short alternative to halls or student housing. session with the Board of Trustees in September, find out more about Key publicto service workers who cannot housing where they work. that afford element of the role.

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

Stage 3 - Hustings: Candidates will be asked to write a personal statement and invited to speak at the Your Voice meeting in November, to help members make an informed choice about who they want to elect.

Sep

Nov

Key facts:

Stage 4 - Voting: Carer members will vote for their preferredcare candidates in No personal is involved, Novemberonly withpractical the results announced support and companionship is provided. in early December.

All Homeshare participants are vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies.

Stage 5 - New chair takes is upsupported and The Homeshare position: We hope that the newby chair carefully monitored a local will feel ready to co-chair their first Homeshare organisation. meeting at the January 2023 Your Homesharing is not a rental Voice forum, although the option to service, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent. shadow Richard for this first meeting is available.

The householder and homesharer bothboard pay ameetings fee to their local All forum and currently organisation toto cover take place Homeshare online, and we expect this the costs of their ongoing service be the case from now on. and monitoring support. The homesharer will contribute to the Search keywords: householder towards utility bills.

Dec

Jan

'becoming a trustee', 'Your Voice chair elections'

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Across the country we are seeing the impact of the high cost of living. Pay and benefits for people living and working in Shared Lives aren’t keeping up with the rate of inflation, and we know that this is putting a huge strain on Shared Lives households.

Shared Lives Plus have been talking to schemes about this worrying issue, and many of them are looking at how they can help to ensure all Shared Lives carers receive fair and reasonable payment for food and utilities.

Cost of living increases

The average weekly food and utilities contribution made to Shared Lives carers across the UK, from the person they support, is £68 per week - but the individual amounts vary considerably from scheme to scheme, from £25 to £90.

10

However, a scheme’s ability to increase the contributions from someone supported in Shared Lives depends on a number of factors, some of which are beyond the scheme's control. This includes the level of benefits an individual receives, which can be lower than amount that DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) says should cover the cost of food and utilities.

From April 2022 DWP has determined the weekly cost of three meals a day plus utilities for one person of working age to be £55.30 - an increase of just under £2 per week since last year. This can be split into an amount for fuel and an amount for food.

The amount for fuel covers Heating and hot water and/or lighting ....................... £21.10 Cooking ................................................................................. £4.10 The amount for food depends on how many meals per day a person is paying for.

Three or more meals a day.............................................. £30.10 Less than three meals a day ........................................... £20.05 Breakfast only ..................................................................... £3.70

* The government has acknowledged that these figures are based on the rate of inflation in October 2021, not the rate of inflation in April 2022.

Cost of living increases

We have raised this issue with DHSC Who are (Department of Health and Social Care) householders? and stressed how important it is that DWP understand the Shared Lives model, and how it differs on an individual basis from other forms of social care. We hope DHSC will continue to work us and Often older people orwith people whofacilitate need discussions with to DWP. informal support continue living in their own home.

Shared Lives Plus will continue to work on Theyasmay support needs or issue may for this it ishave a significant ongoing have become isolated or anxious about many Shared Lives carers. We have created living alone. a document that schemes can use to start conversations with commissioners and A person that enjoys passing on their skills contract managers, and we will beof joining and experience to enrich the lives those forces with the Low Income Tax Reform that Homeshare with them.

Group as part of a wider campaign.

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.

“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

Campaigning on Qualifying Who are Care Relief homesharers?

Over 100 Shared Lives carers took part in our recent survey about Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) which was organised in response to a Typically, younger peoplefor – creating request from some members Shared Lives an intergenerational match.

Plus to campaign for an increase to the amount of relief.

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

You might remember from our bulletins that Key Shared Lives Plus workers have been talking to public service who cannot the Low Income Taxwhere Reform Group about the afford housing they work. possibility of a joint campaign. They were person is happy to give their time openAto thesethat conversations, but having to support the needs of older people. recently campaigned to government on a pension issue for foster carers they would urge caution.

Their recent foster carer campaign was around tax relief arrangements, the Low Income Tax Reform Group recommended levelling up to move away from a two-tier system and to ensure all foster carers benefited from relief at source rather than a net pay arrangement.

The Treasury listened but Key facts: issued a call for evidence and suggested No personal careone is involved, other possible solutions, of which was only practical support and to level down, moving everybody onto a net companionship is provided. pay arrangement.

All Homeshare participants are Ultimately this levelling down didn’t happen, vetted, and matches are based but the process highlighted that when on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. considering change toisQCR, the government Theany Homeshare supported and would likely look at a range ofby possible carefully monitored a local options, includingHomeshare those to reduce or remove it. organisation.

Homesharing is notshowed a rental that service, The results from our survey a high soof a Shared homesharer proportion Livesdoesn’t carers pay whorent. receive QCR objected strongly to any campaigning on this issue,The as householder they did not and wanthomesharer to run the risk both pay a fee to their local of DWP reducing their existing tax relief.

Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service We have listened to this feedback and Shared and monitoring support. The Lives Plushomesharer won’t campaign for an increase will contribute to the in QCR, but will instead focus our utility resources householder towards bills.on campaigns with more chance of success and greater support from our members.

11

Qualifying Care Relief (QCR) is what is known as a ‘beneficial tax arrangement’, available to people who provide Shared Lives care. QCR makes it easier to work out your profits, as well as making financial record keeping simpler.

Qualifying Care Relief

With QCR, if your Shared Lives income in a tax year (known as your ‘total receipts’) is less than the qualifying amount, your profits from your Shared Lives work would be zero for

12

What counts as total receipts?

Your payments for care must come from your Shared Lives scheme, even if the person you support is self-funding.

If the person you support pays you directly for care, you can not make use of QCR for any of your Shared Lives income. The only exception to this rule is for people who pay for some of their own care as part of local Fairer Charging arrangements.

Some schemes include a pro rata payment to Shared Lives carers to cover respite/short breaks, with the expectation that the Shared Lives carer will use that money to pay another carer for respite/short breaks care. These payments would not be eligible for Qualifying Care Relief for either the main or respite carer, and you would need to account for them separately when completing your self-assessment tax return.

that year – meaning you wouldn’t have to pay any Income Tax or Class 4 National Insurance contributions on your Shared Lives income.

QCR is available to Shared lives carers who are paid to provide care through a registered Shared Lives scheme, whether they provide long term care, short breaks, day support - or a combination of these Shared Lives arrangements.

Your total receipts are made up of payments for: Care Rent Board and lodgings Any additional expenses, e.g. for petrol or mileage

In addition, in our guidance (‘The employment status of Shared Lives carers’), we highlight the risk that when an individual, or another Shared Lives carer, directly pays a Shared Lives carer for support, the arrangement may constitute an employer/employee relationship. This would not be consistent with the Shared Lives model. Both HMRC and Shared Lives Plus agree that the payment for care should always be made in its entirety by the Shared Lives scheme.

Shared Lives schemes which currently allow payments directly from individuals to Shared Lives carers for care, or from carers to carer, should stop doing this and ensure all payments are made via the Shared Lives scheme. Any charges to the person in Shared Lives for care, by the scheme or the council, are separate and should be collected by the scheme or the council.

Qualifying Care Relief

Who are householders?

How much is the qualifying amount?

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.

Example 1 – full financial year:

Susan Jones is a Shared Lives carer for Tony and Mike who have lived with her for the full financial year. Susan’s qualifying amount Make a match to enable an would be:

older person to live longer at fixed home amount: £10,000 +

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and weekly amount: £26,000 (£250 x 2 x 52) agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique = match between the person you’ve got qualifying amount: £36,000 in mind, and a homesharer who has the right interests and skills to support them.

Susan’s ‘total receipts’ from Shared Lives income in this financial yearhave are £33,800.

Once a match is made, you will peace of mind that the person you’re Since Susan’s supporting has thetotal bestreceipts support (£33,800) possible are less than her qualifying amount (£36,000), for them as an individual. she would not be liable for any NIC Class 4 contributions, or to pay any tax on her Shared Lives income.

“It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to If you would like advice on Qualifying Care Relief admit it I do need a bit or any other tax matters, you can call the ARAG Express) Tax Helpline on 0330 of(Law extra help round the303 1876. house – I’m not getting Search keywords: any younger!”

'Qualifying Care Relief' ,

Who are homesharers?

Typically, younger people – creating The qualifying amount is made up of: an intergenerational match.

A fixed amount for each Professional students looking for an household to £10,000 a year alternativeof toup halls or student housing. £250.00 perservice personworkers supported, Key public who cannot per week, for upwhere to 3 people afford housing they work.

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

Example 2 – partial financial year:

If Tony and Mike had only been living with Susan for 6 months, her figures for QCR would look like this:

fixed amount: £5,000 (50% of the full fixed amount) + Key facts: weekly amount: £13,000 (£250 x 2 x 26) = No personal care is involved, only practical£18,000 support and qualifying amount: companionship is provided.

Susan’s ‘total receipts’ from Shared Lives All Homeshare participants are income in this financial year are £16,900. vetted, and matches are based on interests, lifestyle and hobbies.

Susan’s total receipts (£16,900) are still The Homeshare is supported and less than her qualifying amount carefully monitored by (£18,000), a local so she would still not be liable for Homeshare organisation.any NIC Class 4 contributions, or to pay any tax on her Shared Lives income.

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.

Householder - London 'Shared Lives and self-employment' 13

Sharing magazine - May 2022

Question: The person I support has a Motability car, can I use it as our general family car, if I use it for their needs as well? Can they get a bigger car to fit the whole household? And who should pay for petrol?

Ask your carer support team

Answer:

14

The Motability scheme helps people who receive a higher rate mobility allowance be more independent by leasing a car, scooter, powered wheelchair, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

The person with the lease doesn’t have to be able to drive the car themselves, nor do they have to be in the car for every journey, however the car must only be used for their benefit and should not be used as a general family car.

Examples: Yes

- Driving the person you support to the local sports centre

No

- Driving yourself or someone else to the gym without the person you support

Yes

- Going to the supermarket to do the weekly shop, even if you are on your own

No

- Going clothes shopping for yourself without the person you support

Motability leases cover the cost of breakdown cover, maintenance

and servicing, and insurance for up to three named drivers. However, this coverage only applies when the car is being driven for the benefit of the person you support.

Since the person you support is the person who benefits from the car, it’s reasonable to expect them to pay for the petrol in the vehicle. However, if you, your family members, or other supported people, are sharing the benefit from the car during some journeys, petrol costs for those journeys could also be shared between members of the household.

For example, it’s reasonable to expect the person you support to pay for the petrol if you are driving them to an appointment, but for a household outing to the theatre, it would be reasonable to expect the rest of the household to contribute towards the fuel costs.

The person you support may choose to lease a car that costs more than their mobility allowance, and any additional payment would normally be their financial responsibility.

However, if they need to lease a more expensive vehicle to accommodate other members of your household, you could be expected to pay any difference in cost involved.

Search keywords: 'Motability', 'insurance', 'mileage'

SECTION TITLE Ask your carer support team

Who are householders?

Question:

Who are homesharers?

I hear a lot about the Shared Lives Plus guidance documents.

Where are they and why doesn’t my scheme follow them exactly?

Often older people or people who need Typically, younger people – creating informal support to continue living in their an intergenerational match. own home.

Professional students looking for an They may have support needs or may alternative to halls or student housing. have become isolated or anxious about The Shared SharedKey Lives schemes are run bywho localcannot living alone.Lives Plus guidance is a suite public service workers of nearly 300 documents, written to support authorities, trusts, or they independent affordhealth housing where work.

Shared Lives Access the skills organisations (profit making or non-profit A person thatschemes. enjoys passing ontotheir guidance is a membership benefit and the making) and arethat regulated byto the relevant and experience to enrich the lives of those A person is happy give their time that Homeshare them. to support the needs of older people. documents can bewith found in the Members social care inspectorate in England, Wales, Only area of the website.

Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Each Shared Lives scheme has a manager with overall To complement the guidance, we also have responsibility for the quality and safety a comprehensive range of Shared Lives of care and support of all Shared Lives specific learning materials. arrangements within their scheme. This Make a match to enable an scheme manager has legal accountability older personfocuses to live The guidance on longer essential scheme for the final decision on approval (and at activity homesuch as selection, training, approval continuing approval) of Shared Lives carers. panels and matching. It is not an exhaustive Each matchand is bespoke and orHomeshare static document, there are sections The guidance and learning materials provide Key facts: agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local that sometimes need adapting for local a framework for schemes if they choose Homeshare provider can make a unique circumstances, policies, or procedures. personal care involved, by to use them.No The guidance is is supported match between the person you’ve got only practical support Where relevant we highlight in regulators in all four nations, but itand is not in mind, and a homesharer who differences has the companionship is provided. regulations andskills standards across England, a legal requirement for schemes to use it. right interests and to support them.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, All Homeshare and we keep the guidance We encourage and supportparticipants all Shared are Once a match is made, you willunder have review vetted, and matches are based peace of mind that the person you’re so we can update or provide new guidance Lives schemes to use our guidance as the on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. supporting has the best support possible as required. best practice model to ensure they cover The Homeshare is supported and for them as an individual. all aspects of running a good scheme. carefully monitored by a local Importantly, none of the guidance Schemes areHomeshare free to choose to adopt organisation.or adapt documents are policies. As a membership Shared Lives Plus guidance, or to show their body and independent charity, we do not complianceHomesharing with regulations and standards, is not a rental service, so a homesharer doesn’t have (and would not want) the power and best practice in a different way. pay rent. to enforce policies on our members.

The householder and homesharer However, we do want to guide, inform, While the guidance is predominantly both pay a fee to theirprovide local and support schemes by providing access written for schemes, so they can Homeshare organisation to cover to a consistently high-quality standard quality information and support to their the costs of their ongoing service of practice, while continuing to meet all carers, there are sections of the guidance and monitoring support. The regulatory requirements throughout the UK. which are directly relevant Shared Lives homesharer willfor contribute to the carers. These documents are available to householder towards utility bills. carer members as the ‘carer handbook’.

Answer:

“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 Search keywords: 'guidance', 'carer handbook', 'regulation of Shared Lives' 15

Shared Lives Plus annual conference 16

Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th October 2022 Join us for the only national learning event for people involved in Shared Lives and Homeshare.

We will learn from each other and expert facilitators, hear from national leaders, and celebrate Shared Lives and Homeshare.

This year’s theme is 'Change and Growth'.

Where: Online

Relevant for: Shared Lives carers, Shared Lives scheme workers, Homeshare network members, and people developing or commissioning Shared Lives and Homeshare

What’s on: In addition to keynote speakers, we will have a varied selection of workshops on offer (please let us know if there anything you would like to see covered in a workshop)

Shared Lives Plus carer member ticket offer: Holding the conference online means we can keep costs down, and pass on some of those savings to our members.

Tickets for Shared Lives Plus carer members are just £5.00 for the whole two-day conference.

Shared Lives Plus annual conference

Who are householders?

Who are homesharers?

How was last year’s conference? It was great!

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their "It was great to see all the own home. different approaches and to network other people."

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

"It was a very positive uplifting conference A person that enjoysand passing on their skills that really did show off and experience to enrich the lives of those the best of Shared Lives." that Homeshare with them.

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

"Very well organised, great content. Thank you enjoyed both Professional students looking for an days especially meditations." alternative to halls the or student housing.

Key public service workers who cannot "Thehousing two days were they fab, learnt afford where work. some valuable information.

The Ambassadors were great, A person that is happy to give their time it!"the needs of older people. to loved support

"Was great that some many people were able to attend virtually, it enabled my whole team to attend rather than just one or two of us attending. Some very interesting topics covered overall was an Make a match toenjoyable enableand anuseful conference."

older person to live longer at home

Conference programme

Each Homeshare match is bespoke and Key facts: agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique No personal care is involved, match between the person you’ve got only practical support and in mind, and a homesharer who has the Wednesday 12th October 2022 companionship Thursday 13th October 2022 is provided. right interests and skills to support them.

All Homeshare participants are Once a match is made, you will have vetted, and matches are based peace of mind that the AM person you’re Networking, Keynote speeches,on interests, Networking, Workshops lifestyle and hobbies. supporting has the best support possible Q&A session The Homeshare is supported and for them as an individual. carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

PM Mindfulness, Workshops, AGM Mindfulness, Shared Lives Award Homesharing is Ceremony not a rental service,

“It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to details admit it I doFull need a of bittickets and arethe available on of extra helpbooking round house – I’m the notwebsite. getting any younger!” Search keywords:

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.

'conference 2022'

Householder - London 17

Steve Collis

It’s been a busy time in my household.

I've recently started supporting someone new in Shared Lives, which is exciting, and I’m really looking forward to helping him to live his best life. Also, one of my dogs has had three adorable puppies, who are just about to head to their new homes - which is fortunate for me, as they are eating and chewing everything in sight.

Champions Corner

I’m glad that we’re finally getting some nice weather, not least because I have been given the once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Shared Lives Plus at a Royal Garden Party in May. I’m looking forward to meeting up with the other carers who are going and supporting them throughout the day. I'm sure there will be lots of photos taken and a big write up in the next issue of Sharing.

18

I know things in our little world are tough with the increase in prices and energy costs and Helen and I have spoken to many carers who are worried about how they are going to manage. Shared Lives Plus are working with schemes and commissioners to improve our working conditions and terms and as your champions we speak up for you with a positive approach when dealing with all parties concerned. If you are worried about your finances, or anything else, we’re here to help – please get in touch.

Helen Piscioneri

As always, Steve and I have been busy supporting our fellow Shared Lives carers, with regular calls and communication. It’s been great to see a real uptick in the number of carers applying for the Blue Light Card membership who doesn’t love a discount?!

Unfortunately, like many other households, we were struck by Covid-19 recently, which meant I was absent from work for a while, and our Easter plans were cancelled. But, as I sit and write this, the sun is shining and I’m looking ahead to better days. I am very much looking forward to meeting some of our carers during Shared Lives Week in June. It is exciting to know that finally after two years, we will hopefully all be able to meet in person.

For support or advice, call the Shared Lives Plus carer helpline on 0151 227 3499

Carer profile: Lana Harber

Lana Harber is a Shared Lives carer with Medway scheme in Kent, and a senior social worker, working in palliative care.

Who are householders?

When did you first hear about Shared Lives?

Who are homesharers?

When did you first consider becoming a Shared Lives carer?

Carer profile: Lana Harber

I heard about Shared Lives from a Often older people or people who need Typically, younger people – creating colleagues when I first started informal supportfew to continue living in their an intergenerational In some ways I’vematch. been a bit like a working in social work, but I didn’t own home.

Shared Lives carer for quite a long really know what it was, and I think Professional students for an time, because I’ve looking been supporting many ofneeds us don’t.

We understand They may have support or may alternative to halls student housing. my godson for or about 12 years now. have become isolated or anxious aboutreally understood fostering, but I hadn’t He doesn’t live with me, but he’s very living alone. public service workers who cannot what the Shared Lives scheme was Key much part of the family unit. Then afford housing where they work. about. Then, when I was approached when I was working with the scheme A person that enjoys onrole their aboutpassing a locum in skills the scheme, I did in Medway were about and experience to enrich the lives of those A person that is we happy to talking give their time a bit of research and found out more findingthe a carer forof a possible referral that Homeshare with them. to support needs older people. about it. and I thought, “well I’d like to do it”, and it all went from there.

What is it like being a social worker and Make a match to enable an a Shared Lives carer?

older person to live longer I’ve got my carer hat on in this role, at home

but obviously I’m still a social worker Each Homeshare match bespoke and too, is and you’ll always have that hat, agreed on a case-by-case basis.

Your local underneath the other hat. It does Homeshare providerbring can make a unique benefits, because as a social match between the person you’ve got worker I’m used to working within in mind, and a homesharer who has the these systems, so I’ve got a lot of right interests and skills to support them. knowledge about what’s available andyou how tohave access things.

Once a match is made, will

peace of mind that the person you’re Thankfully, because I've got a good supporting has the best support possible rapport with my own social worker for them as an individual. in Shared Lives, and with the rest of the team, if anything happens which sets off certain social worker alarm bells for me, I can give them a call and say “Hi, I'm thinking this, what about that?” or, ”this has happened, can we run through it?” And then the social work baton gets passed on so I can get back to the carer role.

“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 Photo: Lana with K who she any younger!”

That first referral didn’t end up happening, which is sometimes how things go, but shortly after I was approached to support someone else.

I initially went to panel as a short breaks carer, since the young lady wasfacts: originally only going to be with Key me for a few weeks. But that was back at the start pandemic, No personal careofisthe involved, soonly shepractical ended up stayingand with me support companionship is provided. for about nine months in the end.

All Homeshare areand That was a veryparticipants unusual time, vetted, and matches are based it was quite difficult to navigate. I on interests, lifestyle and hobbies. actually ended up taking a year off The Homeshare is supported and from being a social worker, so I could carefully monitored by a local be there for my godson and the person Homeshare organisation.

I was supporting in Shared Lives, so I could keep us is allnot safe.

Homesharing 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.

supports, and her godson B

Householder - London

19

Stacey Dooley meets Holly and Geoffrey

Sharing magazine - May 2022

20

Sharing magazine catches up with Holly and Geoffrey, who were featured on Stacey Dooley’s Fresh starts podcast earlier this year.

Stacey met the couple as they were preparing to move into their own specially renovated space within their Shared Lives carers Marlene and John's house, after being separated at the beginning of the pandemic.

Holly described how difficult it was being apart from Geoffrey since they were already engaged with plans to move in together. “When Covid started it was really, really, tough because basically me and Geoffrey were alone a lot of the time. And I found it really hard. I struggled a little bit, because I get very anxious if I’m on my own for so long.”

Marlene explained how the flexibility of the Shared Lives model worked to their advantage: "Geoffrey came to us in the first lockdown. We didn't realize it was going to go on quite as long as it did, but we felt from the mental health point of view keeping them separate for such a long time would not be good.

So, I spoke to his carer, and we decided that the best thing was for him to come here. He was going to come here eventually once we got downstairs done, but it just made it a bit quicker. And it was a good job we did because it would have been too long for them to be apart. It would have been horrible for them."

As far as Holly and Geoffrey were concerned, they'd missed out on too much time already.

They’d first met at school but had since lost touch - until they were reunited at a Shared Lives disco four years ago. There was an instant connection as they danced with each other, there was just one snag - Geoffrey was going with out with somebody else at the time.

As Holly put it "seeing Geoffrey made me feel great inside because I've always had feelings for him ever since I met him. And when I heard that he had a partner I was devastated. But a week later when I heard they split up I was delighted. I asked him out and he said he'll think about it - and then half an hour later he said yes to me."

SECTION StaceyTITLE Dooley meets Holly and Geoffrey

Who are householders?

Often older people or people who need informal support to continue living in their One after the disco reunion it was Holly's ownyear home. turn to say yes, when Geoffrey took her out for may or may aThey meal, gothave downsupport on one needs knee and showed her have become isolated or anxious about the sapphire engagement ring he hoped she living alone. would accept.

A person that enjoys passing on their skills Geoffrey said it was one of the best days of and experience to enrich the lives of those his life, for sure. “I got down on one knee in the that Homeshare with them. restaurant. And the good thing with her ring is it's actually her birthstone as well."

Intimate relationships can be a sensitive subject within Shared Lives. But for Marlene Make a match to enable anHolly and and John, the question of whether Geoffrey shouldto have their independence older person live longer privacy was never in doubt. “Everybody at and home else does, and they're no different to anybody else.

These two are so and and so thoughtful.

Each Homeshare match is kind bespoke Whyon shouldn't they, ofbasis. all people, why agreed a case-by-case Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique shouldn’t they?” match between the person you’ve got in mind, andtold a homesharer has used the to tell Geoffrey Stacey howwho people right interests and skills to support them. him that he wouldn't be able to have this kind of romantic relationship. But that his mum Once a match is made, you will have used to say that the people who thought that peace of mind that the person you’re were ‘a bit a bore’. supporting hasofthe best support possible for them as an individual.

The new living arrangements are a stepping stone to even more independence. As well as living together in Marlene and John's house, Holly and Geoffrey will be newly responsible for all their own cooking and cleaning.

“It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to As Geoffrey says. "Independence to me is admit it toI do need a bit being able do things on your own and new skills. Which is important for oflearning extra help round the later on in life when it's just me and Holly". house – I’m not getting Holly agrees. “One day we're going to be all on any younger!” our own and that will give us a huge amount

Who are homesharers?

Typically, younger people – creating an intergenerational match.

Having more privacy is lovely, and having that students looking an nice feelsProfessional more like freedom.

And that'sfor really alternative halls or student housing. because when Ito was younger, I was worried about being alone. But now my independence Key public workers is who cannot is growing and service my confidence getting there. afford housing where they work.

It's not nice to be lonely, but I feel a lot luckier than I've ever been.”

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

So how have things been since they were interviewed by Stacey Dooley?

Holly and Geoffrey have a busy weekly routine these days which includes going to workshops, volunteering, and visiting family. As for having Keyprivate facts:space Holly says "it's lovely. their own We've got a lovely settee, and some tables. We've No personal care is involved, got band posters on our walls and shelves full of only practical support and our things." companionship is provided.

ThursdaysAllare their day for just beingare together Homeshare participants and doingvetted, jobs around the house and matches are- "when based I'm tidying, I like to listen to a bit of Status Quo or on interests, lifestyle and hobbies.

The Homeshare is supported and Green Day" says Holly. carefully monitored by a local Homeshare organisation.

Most of their friends and family have now listened to the podcast and the couple say they Homesharing is not a rental have had nothing but good wishes andservice, support, so a homesharer doesn’t pay rent. with everyone being very happy for them.

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.

of independence and I think that's important.

Householder - London 21

Sharing magazine - May 2022

Useful phone numbers

Who are householders?

Membership enquiries: UK Tax Return Service:

Who are homesharers?

For legal expenses enquiries

0330 303 1876 NB There is a charge for Shared Lives Plus Office 0151 227 3499 this service To make a claim on your info@sharedlivesplus legal expenses cover: Often older people or people who need Business Services: Typically, younger people – creating Intellect .org.uk ARAG match. informal support to continue livingJane in their an intergenerational Barrett own home.

0117 917 1698 0121 794 2289 Shared Lives Plus Professional students looking for an currently £160 inc. VAT. carer helpline: They may have support needs or may alternative toInsurance: halls or student housing.

0151become 227 3499 have isolated or anxious about BWM Accountants: Key public service Towergate main line living alone. workers who cannot A message will be taken 236they 8603work.

Sue Stephens afford housing0113 where 0151 236 1494 and one ofthat the carer A person enjoyssupport passing on their skills Public liability queries: team will call you and experience toback enrich the livescurrently of those £175 + VAT A person that is happy to give their time that Homeshare with them. to support the needs of older people.

Craig Pinches Mortgage advice: Legal advice: 07515 629473 Mortgage Brain: Katie/Marcus General telephone legal For Household/Travel/ 0800 987 1700 advice on any legal matter, Motor Insurance: including de-approval Benefit Make a advice: match to enable an Christine Howard older person Jackson Lees to live longerJackson Lees 0113 236 8603 0151 541 0240 where you 0151 541 0240 Christine.Howard@ at home will be put through to the towergate.co.uk relevant department Each Homeshare match is bespoke and Key facts: agreed on a case-by-case basis. Your local Homeshare provider can make a unique No personal care is involved, match between the person you’ve got only practical support and in mind, and a homesharer who has the companionship is provided. 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 Find as out for them anmore 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.

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

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

Search keywords: Sharing 37

“It’s given me a new perspective on life and even though I hate to admitwww.sharedlivesplus.org.uk it I do need a bit info@sharedlivesplus.org.uk of extra help round the house – I’m not getting Reg Charity number (England and Wales) 1095562 any younger!”

Company number 4511426 Householder London 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 Shared Lives Plus and monitoring support. The G04, The Cotton Exchange homesharer will contribute to the Old Hall householder towards utility bills.Street Liverpool L3 9JR 0151 227 3499