When you’ve got a young family, life can feel like a constant juggle. School runs, packed lunches, after school clubs and just trying to keep on top of it all can be a job in itself. So it’s understandable why some people wouldn’t consider being a Shared Lives carer with young children and lots of responsibilities already.
For lots of our Shared Lives carers, it fits more naturally than you’d think. We caught up with Keithley, one of our amazing Shared Lives carers in Lincolnshire, who’s also a parent. For him it’s not about squeezing something extra into an already busy day, it’s about creating a life that works for everyone in the household.
Keithly said about his role as a Shared Lives carer
‘It fits perfectly with my life because I’ve got two children, one at nursery and one at school. Bev and Chris (the people he supports) go to the day centre from nine to three every day and it just works perfectly for school pick-ups, school drop-offs.
‘During that time, I can get things ready in the house, I can prepare meals for the children and Bev and Chris when they get home.
‘It just fits perfectly with my current lifestyle.’
Shared Lives is more than a job, it's a way of life
That’s what makes Shared Lives different, it works around real life, not the other way round. You’re not expected to put your family life on hold, in fact, it’s part of what makes a great carer.
Of course, it’s not for everyone and it’s not always easy, no family is really, but the sense of warmth and reward you get back is wonderful.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Shared Lives carer but worried it wouldn’t fit around your children, it’s worth taking another look.
Please keep an eye out for our full interview with this amazing family of three generations of carers, we’re really looking forward to telling their story.