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Banbury mum welcomes adults with additional needs to her home
26/01/2022
“It’s so easy to build a bond and I still love staying in touch with anyone who’s come to my home over the years”
A Banbury mum, who has spent nearly two decades caring for children and adults as part of the Shared Lives scheme, is recommending the Oxfordshire County Council run project to others.
Shared Lives matches people who need additional support to be independent and live on their own with carers and their families.
Seventy-one year old mother, grandmother and great grandmother Linda Carnie joined Shared Lives to support adults with additional needs over 17 years ago. She has since kept in touch with nearly every individual she’s welcomed into her home since then.
Linda initially joined as a short-term carer, enabling individuals to stay for a change of scenery, in the event of an urgent care need, or if their longer-term carers required time away. But after knee surgery encouraged her to take a step back from her work with children, Linda decided to shift her role to offer a more permanent home for those with additional needs.
“Starting on a short-term basis meant I could give Shared Lives a try without worrying about committing to too much too soon,” said Linda, speaking about her decision to join the scheme. “I loved it right away. It was fulfilling and I chose the hours which suited me around my work.
“Working with children was wonderful but I couldn’t run after them forever, so when I fully retired 12 years ago, I knew that becoming a long-term carer was right for me. I didn’t know how much of an adjustment it would be but it wasn’t much of a change at all.”
Linda has welcomed a large number of people with additional needs to her home, some staying with her for as long as seven or eight years, and most of whom she has remained close with.
She said: “It’s so easy to build a bond and I still love staying in touch with anyone who’s come to my home over the years. You end up getting far more than you put in – I don’t have any plans to leave the scheme any time soon!”
Many carers in the Shared Lives scheme have one individual with them at a time but Linda has been able to accept two, and she loves the diversity. Her younger resident enjoys a volunteering role, regular attendance to a day centre and time alone in her room. The elder of the individuals will often join Linda for trips out – including a recent celebration.
Linda said: “I went out with my friends for an early Christmas lunch, and when one of the ladies living with me decided she wanted to come along I thought she might be shy or struggle with the interaction,” said Linda. But it was quite the opposite. “She didn’t have any trouble making conversation and told me she would love to join us another time.”
Joining Shared Lives hasn’t stopped Linda from enjoying her family time regularly, and she has continued to take care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Shared Lives scheme can visit this website.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam