At MacIntyre, we know that every one of our Shared Lives families is different. Whilst we match some of our carers and people they support through personality and interests, others have known each other for many years and our Shared Lives scheme allows them to maintain those relationships.
Katie, Claire, and Natalie
For Natalie, becoming a Shared Lives carer was an easy choice after fostering children for nearly 10 years. One of the children that had been living with Natalie since she was 13 years old was Katie.
When asked by her social worker to decide where she would like to live once she turned 18, Katie expressed that she didn’t want to leave Natalie and that she considered living there her home. Not only this, but Katie attended a local college, so leaving Natalie’s care would disrupt her education and the friendships she had built at the college.
Aware of Katie’s desire to stay with her, Natalie explored the option of becoming a Shared Lives carer. As Shared Lives carers support adults, this meant that Katie could remain living with Natalie and continue the crafts and cookery that they enjoyed.
Once Natalie has been approved as a Shared Lives carer, Katie showed concern for her friend Claire. Claire was unhappy in her current living arrangement and upon learning that Katie would remain living with Natalie, she wanted to live there too.
Since then Natalie has stopped working as a foster carer and is Katie and Claire’s primary supporter.
For Natalie, Shared Lives has allowed her to watch the young people she supported grow as adults and for Katie and Claire, the scheme has given them new skills and a loving home for the foreseeable future.
If you or someone you know would like to find out more about becoming a MacIntyre Shared Lives carer, please visit our Shared Lives page to learn about the project in your area.
