Laura talks about the move from fostering to Shared Lives and the importance of a good match.
Why did you become Shared Lives carers?
We became carers when we realised that we could help to fill a gap for people whose culture and beliefs were underrepresented. We began as foster carers and we've continued to make positive differences to people's lives by supporting adults as Shared Lives carers.
How did you first meet the person you support?
My husband and I were both brought up in Jewish orthodox families and we could see that there were more Jewish children going into care than there were foster carers who shared their experiences, needs and culture. So in 2015 we started fostering 12 year old Maya, who has Down's Syndrome. She joined us for a short placement, but when her circumstances changed, we were asked to foster her long term, up to her 18th birthday. We knew we needed to plan ahead for when she left foster care but by the time she was 17 she was very much part of our family.
We couldn’t imagine her moving elsewhere and because we share a culture, we understood her needs and goals. Her birth family are orthodox Jews and we've been able to encourage and support her with her religion as well as her day-to-day skills. I can't imagine how she would have coped living somewhere where she was unable to live her life the way she always had. She's been able to enjoy her religion and heritage because culturally we are so well matched.
What did it mean to you as foster carers, when you found out you could keep supporting someone into adulthood?
When we heard about Shared Lives, we knew that becoming carers would mean Maya could stay with us for as long as she needed to. It would also mean she wouldn't have to deal with change, which she doesn't always cope well with. Our transition from foster parents to Shared Lives carers was seamless as our match was already perfect, so Maya's life carried on as usual.
Maya goes to college where she learns life skills as well as more about her heritage and culture. We go to synagogue together where she uses her own prayer book that has pictures. She creates art and cooks for the Jewish festivals - when we celebrated the Jewish New Year, I can only describe her as being beside herself with excitement! When we go to Israel it's so special to witness her visiting the holy places she has learnt about, like the Wailing Wall and Rachel's Tomb. She clearly finds it meaningful to visit these places that connect her to her heritage.
What's it like being part of Shared Lives?
We have now been Shared Lives carers for just over four years and have found the whole team to be helpful, friendly and like ourselves, passionate about their jobs!
Why do you think the Shared Lives matching process is so important?
It's so important for Bury to have a large pool of approved carers because with good matches we can enable people to live their life valuing the things that are important not only to them but also to ourselves. There is a certain satisfaction in watching others grow and achieve and, making a difference in someone’s life.
To anyone who is thinking about becoming a Shared Lives Carer, I say "Go for it!!" The rewards are endless.
Laura, Shared Lives carer
Each of us has something different to offer and every match is as unique as the people in it.
Join us and share your passion, your skills, your culture and your heritage with someone in Bury who needs your unique understanding and support. In exchange you get a flexible, rewarding career with added benefits: laughter, fun, purpose and so much more than we could ever list here - see our jobs here.
Want to know more about Bury Shared Lives? Click here.
Read more case studies from across Persona - just click here.
