The Shared Lives Service, run by Gateshead Council, supports vulnerable adults aged 18 and over to access a wide range of activities and opportunities in their local community and achieve their aspirations.

The service enables individuals to learn new skills and become as independent as possible, sharing their home and time with someone who needs support. The following type of care and support may be available:

• Long term accommodation – where people live with Shared Lives carers, sharing their lives and their home
• Short breaks – where people stay temporarily with a Shared Lives carer to get a break from their routine or give their carers a break
• Day time support
• Kinship support – where Shared Lives carers support people in their own home and community

All Shared Lives carers have to be approved by a panel of senior officers at Gateshead Council, are fully trained and DBS checked and matched appropriately with someone before a short break or longer-term stay is arranged.