Shared Lives

Shared Lives is a national initiative with over 10,000 approved Shared Lives carers across the UK. Central Bedfordshire’s Shared Lives scheme is run in partnership with our commissioned provider Ategi. This innovative program offers a unique opportunity for people to make a meaningful impact in their community by providing support to adults with additional needs, encouraging independent living within a family home environment.

Visit Ategi's website to learn more.

Join our online information session – Thursday 30 January 2025

If you would like further information on the Shared Lives service, Ategi is hosting a webinar on Thursday 30 January at 12:30pm.

You will need to register to attend and joining instructions will be sent to you.

Register for the Ategi webinar

Alternatively, you can contact Joe Bavington, Locality Manager at:

Telephone: 01494 932920
Email: info@ategi.co.uk

Ategi
Unit M1
DeHavilland Court
Penn Street
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
HP7 0PX

As a Shared Lives carer, you would share your home and family life, providing support to an adult with additional needs, to encourage skill development and independent living.

Responsibilities as a carer can include:

• taking an active role in nurturing skills and talents
• assisting with life skills such as learning to use public transport as well as cook and clean
• providing support to try new activities both at home and out and about

As a Shared Lives carer:

• you would be self-employed and would receive monthly payments
• one-to-one ongoing support is provided, along with financial benefits and comprehensive training
• there is a careful matching process, ensuring that carers are matched with a suitable person for their lifestyle and experience
• placements can be either long or short term

The scheme is rewarding for everyone involved, with carers experiencing a deep sense of pride and fulfillment, while those they support gain the assistance they need to navigate adult life with confidence.

Could you be a Shared Lives carer?

Take the quiz and find out if you could be a Shared Lives carer.

Take the quiz

If you’re over 18 and want to live in a family home, but need some help to live independently, then Shared Lives could be for you. You need to have a reason for needing support – but these reasons can be very varied.

Shared Lives is a fantastic alternative to other forms of care, like residential care homes or supported living – particularly for people who don’t want to live alone. For people who want support during the day, it’s more flexible than a day centre: you can use the carer’s home as a base and go out when needed. It helps people to live as part of an ordinary family, part of the community, and to build up strong, more natural relationships.

View this video and can hear from Kyeron who is sharing his life with Lyn as a Shared Lives carer.

Ategi people stories:

View this video and hear from Lorna and Summa how Shared Lives is working for them.

Shared Lives

Shared Lives is when you have someone move into your home, they'd need to have their own room, and become part of your household/ family. How long they stay could vary - it could be a few months or anything, up to many decades.

The people you support will often spend their days out in the community or with a different Shared Lives carer.

Short breaks

Short breaks are when you have someone stay in your home, this can be overnight, for a few days or a week, or even longer depending on the circumstances and what you're able to offer.

It might be just once, or you may end up having someone visiting for regular short breaks.

Shared Days

Shared Days is for carers who don't have a spare room or want to offer support during the day. This is also a great way to start out as a Shared Lives carer and see what it's like.

You would share your days at your home or out and about. You could be helping someone to learn a new skill to help them gain confidence or just taking them out for the day.