Around 75 people involved with an innovative form of supported accommodation for Sefton adults with disabilities and other support needs gathered for their annual Christmas party this week.
Hightown Cricket Club was the venue for the event organised by staff from the Shared Lives service, run by Sefton’s leading adult social care provider, New Directions.
Music, a raffle, food and fun were on the menu at the get-together attended by carers and service users from across the borough, as well as several people who live in New Directions supported tenancies.
Shared Lives service users are given the opportunity to benefit from a safe, friendly and supportive environment by living as part of a carer’s family, rather than in residential care.
This can be a permanent arrangement, or organised on a short break basis, but in each case the emphasis is on helping a service user to form new relationships, broaden his or her experiences and become more independent.
According to Karen Bennett, Assistant Service Manager, one of the most important features of Shared Lives is its flexibility.
Carers can be families, couples or individuals of any age, and service users range from young adults up to middle age and beyond.
However, the real key to the success of Shared Lives is the time and effort that goes into matching up the two parties to ensure they are a good ‘fit’, and also the training and support provided to carers.
New Directions Business Development Manager, Dave Hughes, commented: “Everyone involved with our Shared Lives service does a fantastic job in providing a homely environment and positive lifestyle opportunities to our service users.
“The Christmas party was a great way of celebrating another year of success for the service over the last 12 months.”
OTS News on Social Media