Developing life skills with Shared Lives

Shannon has a mild learning disability and joined our Shared Lives Scheme after living in a supported living home.

Whilst staying with her Shared Lives Carers, Shannon has massively developed her living and life skills, such as cooking and cleaning. She is much more independent day to day and more than confident to do the things she would like to do.

Shannon has really thrived in her Shared Lives home, she sees her Shared Lives Carers as her family and feels like one of their own. They have built a wonderful relationship and support Shannon to continue to improve her independent living. Recently they have welcomed a new furry family member into the Shared Lives home.

Shannon wanted some additional responsibility in the Shared Lives home and thought a small pet would be an excellent opportunity to learn many new skills. With the go ahead from her Shared Lives Carers, Shannon independently found a hamster and has been taking excellent care of it. Shannon keeps the hamsters bedding clean, she  fills up the water bottle, provides toys for the hamster, gives the hamster ‘little nuggets’ of hamster food and plays with him.

She is now able to independently look after the hamster and completes all tasks for him. Shannon has really enjoyed looking after the hamster. It gives her a sense of independence. It has also helped her mood when she is feeling down and keeps her mind busy. Shannon also enjoys playing with the hamster with the young members of the family. It helps her to connect with them.” – Paul Dawson, Shared Lives Scheme Worker