Shared Lives Carers and the people they support came together this week for afternoon tea and a fun, inclusive day of sport as part of Shared Lives Week 2025.

On Wednesday (25 June), Shared Lives Carers and the people that they care for met at County Hall in Trowbridge for afternoon tea to celebrate Shared Lives Week (23-27 June).

The Shared Lives Service enables people to live as part of a family, within a carer’s home, where they receive the practical and emotional support they need. The service is a bit like Fostering, but for vulnerable people over 18 who want to live in the community and remain as independent as possible.

A fun filled Disability Sports Takeover Day also took place during the week, attended by people from across Wiltshire with a learning disability, autism, mental health diagnosis, long-term health conditions, or mobility impairments. Those attending had the opportunity to try activities including adapted cycling, wheelchair basketball, inclusive dance, boccia, curling, seated exercise and more. The event showcased the power of inclusive sport and aimed to promote physical activity, social inclusion and community engagement for people with diverse abilities.

Cllr Gordon King, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said “Shared Lives is an important service that enables people to live as part of a family, within a carer’s home, where they receive the practical and emotional support they need. It is a model of care that is highly praised by the Care Quality Commission, which has consistently rated Shared Lives as the best-performing model of regulated social care.

“Shared Lives Week provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the tremendous difference that this service and our carers makes to the lives of the people that it supports. It is also an opportunity to make people more aware of this little-known service.

“We need more Shared Lives Carers to support vulnerable adults in Wiltshire. Our carers come from diverse backgrounds, and you don’t need specific qualifications – just a wide range of skills, life experience, and a willingness to open your home and support vulnerable adults.”

To find out more and arrange a chat with one of the Shared Lives team with no obligation visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/shared-lives.