June marks ten years of PSS Shared Lives in Manchester supporting adults to live happy, independent lives.
Shared Lives is a bit like fostering but the big difference is that it’s for adults with a wide range of support needs who want to live their most independent life. PSS invented the model of care way back in 1978 – a stone’s throw from Manchester – in Liverpool. Since then, PSS has grown into a multi-local non-profit organisation, launching in Greater Manchester in 2015. Since then, Shared Lives has matched hundreds of adults in the region with support needs with big-hearted locals who open up their homes and their lives.
Being a Shared Lives carer in Manchester
Shared Lives carers, Gaynor and Sean, 56, from Gorton, are celebrating their first year as Shared Lives carers in Manchester. They say the scheme has transformed their lives as well as the life of the person they support, Emma, 28.
Gaynor says: ‘My parents are both elderly and have their own care needs so I needed something that could work around that commitment. Shared Lives was perfect for that. If we knew it was going to be like this, we’d have done it years ago.’
‘It’s the best thing we’ve done in a long time. It’s not just a job – it’s a way of life.’
Emma, who lives with Gaynor and Sean through Shared Lives, says she finally feels like she’s part of something.
‘Before this, I was just existing. Now I’m living. I’ve got support, confidence, and I do things I never thought I’d do. It’s more than just having someone around – it’s having someone who cares.’
Shared Lives means that people who might otherwise be in supported accommodation or residential care can instead live in a welcoming family environment, where they’re supported to build skills, confidence and friendships.
Personalised, quality care
Shared Lives is consistently rated the safest and highest quality form of social care by care inspectors across the UK. In October 2023, CQC rated Shared Lives schemes in England as 97% good or outstanding.
It’s not just better for people, it also saves the public purse thousands every year. Research carried out by Shared Lives Plus in 2024 shows that Shared Lives can save £12,000 to £26,000 per person, per year for people with a learning disability compared to supported living or residential care.
PSS chief exec, Jill Sheldrake MBE, said:
‘Shared Lives shows what’s possible when you put people first. It’s a simple idea that changes lives – not just for the people being supported, but for the carers too. We’re so proud of what our team, our carers and the people we support have achieved together over the last ten years in Manchester. And we can’t wait to see what the next ten years will bring.’
With plans to expand the service and recruit more carers across the city, PSS Shared Lives hopes the next decade will be just as life changing.
Find out more about Shared Lives on our FAQs