Swindon Borough Council shares details of its Shared Lives Scheme which aims to help people in need of social care to live more independently.
The council says when asked to describe adult social care, a lot of people might think it refers to the support provided to the elderly in residential care homes.
It may surprise people that it does not solely revolve around caring for the older members of the community.
The council says in Swindon, adult social care supports over 1,000 adults aged 18 - 65 living with a range of needs, to help them live active and fulfilling lives.
Swindon Borough Council’s Shared Lives Scheme is said to be an exciting opportunity for people to live within a family setting, to enable them to achieve their aspirations and live independently.
A spokesperson for the council said: "Roger, pictured above, was 49 years old when he was diagnosed with advanced dementia in 2017, which really affected his mobility. The Shared Lives scheme matched Roger with carers who he moved in with.
"Roger’s carers helped him get back to the activities he loved in the community and even took him on a few holidays to the coast – which is what he’d always really wanted to do.
"Sadly, Roger passed away last year while at home, holding the hand of his Shared Lives carer. He was happy right up until the end of his life, and his family were welcomed into the Shared Lives Carers’ home to make sure he was surrounded by the people he loved during his final days."
Cllr Brian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “Social care in Swindon doesn’t always look the way we imagine it might. There are so many people who are supported by our services, and their lives may all look very different."
To find out more about social care in Swindon, individuals can visit www.swindon.gov.uk/socialcare.
Those interested in considering a career as a Shared Lives carer, can email [email protected].
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