CARERS across Surrey are coming together last week to highlight the fourth annual Shared Lives Week, a UK-wide event to celebrate and promote the innovative and growing “Shared Lives” model of care.

Shared Lives carers open their home and family life to an adult or 16-17 year old, who needs care or support to help them live well.

Schemes individually match trained and approved carers with people who need their support.

The approach is now one of the fastest-growing forms of social care, with an additional 1,300 people last year choosing Shared Lives as a unique way to feel independent, but not alone.

In the Surrey area, 44 people are supported by 46 Shared Lives carers.

There is a Shared Lives scheme in almost every area of the UK, with more than 12,000 people being supported under such arrangements by 9,000 Shared Lives carers on either a long or a short-term basis.

Michelle Williams, who manages the scheme in Surrey, said: “Our focus for the week was to try and raise the profile of a fantastic service within the community and to recruit new carers to join our scheme.”

Shared Lives Plus chief executive Alex Fox added: “It’s great to see Shared Lives playing such an active role in supporting our national week, highlighting the benefits of the approach and encouraging more people to consider becoming carers or choosing Shared Lives as a way of supporting them to lead a good life in a good place.

“Our aim is to double in size nationally over five years – and events like this, in Surrey, are vital in helping us hit that target.”

Andrew Reed, is a young man in his early 20s with a learning disability, who has been supported by the Shared Lives scheme.

Before living with carers Nanda and Padma Veerpen, Andrew would often find himself in trouble due to the company he kept before moving in two years ago enabled him to be in a safe and supportive home environment.

Since living with them, Andrew has got himself a part-time job working for a high street retailer, and enjoys leisure activities such as going to the gym and bowling.

Andrew said: “Nanda and Padma have been a great support to me, and they are like my second family.

“Since living with them my independence and confidence in myself has improved a lot.”

The foundation of the success of Shared Lives is the “Match”. The unique process involves meeting up, perhaps for a cup of tea or a meal and getting to know each other before agreeing to move in.

“That way, people can discover if they share common interests or hobbies, meaning they have a basis for a successful partnership.

Go to www.surreychoice s.com/shared-lives