Community Support Project Gets Out and Gets Active! Could You Join Them?
Families, supporters, service users and anyone interested in finding out more about the Aberdeenshire Council Shared Lives Scheme were invited to get out and get active at Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore for a weekend in June.
Would you have be interested in joining Shared Lives and any future fun? Read on to find out.
What is Shared Lives?
Shared Lives match people over the age of 16 with support needs (mental health, disabilities, older people) with carers who work from their own homes. Our Shared Lives Carers provide flexible day support, short breaks/ respite and long term placements based around their family home.
Shared Lives weekends
Shared Lives weekends always include a variety of activities to suit everyone. At Glenmore this year they had:
- archery
- rock climbing
- orienteering
- canoeing
- shiatsu
- Indian head massage
- hand massage
- and much more.
These active weekends are a great way to get a taster of what it’s like to be a Shared Lives Carer with the scheme and a great way for the various carers and families to come together and try something new. The weekends are self-funding which means that each person attending pays for the break themselves. The cost for Glenmore was £99 all inclusive.
Here are some comments people made at the June weekend:
“People who haven’t come along don’t know what fun they are missing”
“It’s great to see people grow in confidence and as a person. I can see a difference in everyone each time”
And a family carer reflected on the benefits of the weekend for her daughter
“…Good for her to work as part of a team. This can be very difficult for her”
Why do Shared Lives get out and get active? Shared Lives Support Worker, Nicola Watson says “encouraging people to share new experiences can build real friendships based on choice and trust and these friendships bring actual support and change to people’s lives”.
Have you been thinking about trying a new activity? Why not consider getting involved with Shared Lives and supporting someone else to join you at the same time?
Dufftown Weekend 7-9th November
The next weekend planned is to Dufftown on the 7-9th November. Would you be interested in getting involved or do you know someone who could benefit from the support of Shared Lives?
Contact Sue to take part in this fantastic opportunity! sue.mahoney@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or Tel: 07824 837791
K&M Communities 