Celebrating our longstanding Shared Lives carers

To mark Shared Lives Week 2025 (23 to 27 June), we’re paying tribute to our many Shared Lives carers who have dedicated their time to supporting adults with care needs to live fulfilling lives.  

What is Shared Lives? 

Shared Lives is a way to support adults and young people over the age of 16 who are unable to live independently. The scheme places the person with a Shared Lives carer, who provides accommodation, care and support in their home. 

Shared Lives carers open their homes and lives to support people with care or support needs, from young adults leaving care, to people with a learning disability, mental ill health, or older people living with dementia. 

Every Shared Lives arrangement is carefully selected, and we introduce people based on shared values, personalities and lifestyle – not just care needs.  

Matches are made in a similar format you’d take when choosing a housemate, partner or friend. That’s why Shared Lives often leads to long-term, life-changing relationships. 

Who can be a Shared Lives carer? 

You can become a Shared Lives carer at any age and every household has different things to offer. It’s a flexible opportunity that can fit around your own life, and carers can give support full-time or for short breaks, respite or day activities. 

You need to live in Brighton & Hove and have some caring experience, a suitable environment and the right values. There is an assessment and approval process to go through and ongoing support and training from the scheme.  

Shared Lives carers receive a weekly fee of up to £400 per adult they care for, with significant tax benefits. Shared Lives carers can care for up to 3 adults at a time. 

Some people become Shared Lives carers for a few years, while others have provided a stable home or respite support for decades. We have a number of carers who joined when their children were young and found being able to work from home a positive and rewarding opportunity. 

Some Shared Lives carers were previously foster carers and wanted to go on to support an adult. Some younger carers grew up in Shared Lives households and have seen firsthand the positive outcomes for people and the flexible lifestyle it enables. 

Impact of Shared Lives 

Shared Lives enables adults with learning disabilities or a mental health condition to learn new skills, make lasting relationships and build roots in their community, while also enjoying new and interesting experiences with their carers.  

This could include volunteering, going to concerts, booking holidays abroad, trying new hobbies or learning to take public transport independently for the first time.  

Every person the Shared Lives scheme supports is unique, and we make sure that people are matched with a household that is right for them. Shared Lives carers are self-employed and have a choice in who they can offer support to. 

Over the years, some people have needed support through difficult times, and the Shared Lives scheme looks at what additional support may be needed.  

Vital support 

Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “I’d like to thank all our amazing Shared Lives carers for devoting years – sometimes decades – of their lives to this fantastic scheme.  

“It’s so moving to hear about the impact of Shared Lives and the wonderful commitment of our carers. This vital support ensures the lovely people they support can live meaningful lives in a loving and stable environment with a carer who can advocate for their needs.  

“We’re always looking for more Shared Lives carers to join the scheme, as there are many more people who would really benefit from a Shared Lives placement.  

“If you are able to consider opening your home and your life to someone who needs support, please reach out to our Shared Lives team to find out more about this very rewarding opportunity." 

Rewarding and fun 

One of our carers said: “My husband and I were both foster carers before we met, so it made sense that we’d continue once we were together. Over the years, our lives have changed; I went back to uni, we’ve changed jobs, got married, moved house and been on holidays, and we’ve been able to fit Shared Lives around those changes. 

“One person we support through Shared Lives was even honorary best man at our wedding! We both find it incredibly rewarding building relationships with people who have different backgrounds and experiences to our own. Being a carer comes with responsibility, but also a bucket load of fun.” 

Meet our Shared Lives team  

Our Shared Lives team provide support to all our carers and are also able to speak with you and answer any questions you may have about the scheme and how it can fit around your life.  

The team will be holding a drop-in session at Jubilee Library on Thursday 26 June from 10am to 4pm where you can find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer.   

You can also get in touch with our Shared Lives scheme for a friendly chat by emailing info.sharedlives@brighton-hove.gov.uk or calling 01273 295550. 

Visit our Shared Lives webpage to find out more about the scheme.