Shared Lives South West, a service that provides support for carers, has provided one Cornwall resident with an opportunity to have a fulfilling role, while making her family life much easier too.
Cornwall Council works with charity, Shared Lives South West to match and support people with a caring home in Cornwall.
Lynn Whiting from Portreath has been a shared lives carer for over 20 years. She started the role to allow her to continue to earn money, help others and look after her growing family.
She said:
“It’s changed my life totally. I’ve always worked in the care sector and I used to work in a large day centre for adults with learning difficulties. It was hard work when the twins came along and I decided to do this because I still feel like a valued employee, I’m doing a valuable job which was important to me. It’s incredibly rewarding because you do feel like you’re one big family and everybody benefits.”
Lynn currently has 4 adults living with her who all go about their daily lives while Lynn provides a caring home.
Cllr Andy Virr, lead Cornwall Council member for adult social care and health said:
“Shared Lives provides an invaluable service for many people across Cornwall. Lynn’s story is a great example of how everyone involved in the scheme gets something out of it.
“Providing a home and family life, supporting people to live independently and be part of their communities is such a rewarding role to play in delivering our aspiration for Cornwall to have vibrant, safe, supportive communities.”
Dominic Spayne, CEO for Shared Lives South West said:
“Across Cornwall we have more than 100 carers doing incredible work, but we need more.
“Shared Lives South West carers are making a real difference to the lives of the people they support and are inspiring.
“It’s a rewarding role, you get to work from home and our team are there to support carers every step of the way.”
Find out more about being part of the Shared Lives service
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