We’re so happy to give a huge warm welcome to Stuart Orrell, who joined us early in January as the new deputy head of Shared Lives. This is a brand-new role; you’ll get to see and hear more from Stuart as he gets more involved in PSS Shared Lives. We caught up with him for a little chat.
Stuart, please tell us what drew you to Shared Lives?
“I’m absolutely drawn to models of support that are less mainstream than the way things are normally done. To me, it seems nonsense that a person living in Shared Lives, which is in a family home, where they can build those relationships, with all the care and support that people really need, living a ‘normal’ life is in fact less mainstream than the other options, which are specialist residential, supported living homes, but that’s how things are currently. I feel like the Shared Lives way of doing things should just be the norm.
“I was also won over by how values driven PSS looked and the huge range of services it is involved with and differing needs it seeks to support.”
Tell us a bit about your background?
“After completing a social and political studies degree, I have enjoyed nearly 30 years in the social care sector in various roles working alongside people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, young people and refugee communities. Working with some amazing people in community, supported living, residential, educational and day services.
“There are too many things to write about, but highlights include supporting people to move from long stay hospital to new independent lives; I was a registered manager of an intentional community; and a quality and improvement lead role.”
What are you most looking forward to in your role?
“It’s pretty clear that this is a much needed and much anticipated new role, I’m looking forward shaping this into being an additional resource that helps good services get even better, helping out where there are struggles and challenges, and being part of the drive to reach out to more people and places, so even more people can benefit from Shared Lives and what PSS can offer.”
Is there anything you’re excited about being involved in?
“I’ve been lucky to have the PSS Big Plan launch land in my first week. This was a great way to see and hear people talking enthusiastically about our services, and about what an even better future can look like. It’s really evident that this is a strategic plan with high ambition and a commitment to making it real. The PSS values really shone through with colleagues engaged in understanding, planning and making this happen.”
Tell us something interesting about yourself
“Last year I had one of those birthdays with a zero in it. I took this a great excuse to go on a trip with my daughter to India, a country I’ve always dreamed of visiting. I loved the vibrancy, the beauty and oh the food!
“Last year I ran my first marathon, the Athen’s marathon (the place where marathons first started) which was hilly, hot and humid and very long 😓. It was really hard and I vowed after this epic adventure never again, until last week when I signed up for my next one 🙃.”
