Carers sought for ‘rewarding’ respite scheme

The Shared Lives scheme, run by West Sussex County Council, already has 73 carers providing care for 115 adults, but now the council wants to expand it. Under the initiative, adults who would normally live in residential care stay in a family environment with the carers.

Under the initiative, adults who would normally live in residential care stay in a family environment with the carers.

These respite placements can be short or long-term.

It is hoped the scheme could eventually be expanded to provide placements for the elderly, vulnerable mothers and babies and young offenders.

Martin and Jane Baskerville, of Brooklyn Avenue, Worthing, have been carers for 14 years and are keen believers in the approach, which they say tends to be of more benefit than living in larger care homes.

Jane, 50, said: “We have provided long-term care for a man who came to us for a respite holiday 13 years ago.

“A two-week holiday lasted 13 years as he didn’t want to go back to where he was living.

“I think that people tend to do better in smaller places.”

For the full story, see this week’s Herald and Gazette, out Thursday, November 8.