'Caring for people at home is like gaining family'

A carer who looks after people in her own home said her job was like gaining a new member of family.

Kathy West, a Wiltshire Council Shared Lives Carers, has spoken about her experiences to inspire others to join the scheme.

She said helping people with mental or physical health needs or learning difficulties was rewarding.

Ms West said: "I love sharing my life with the young people that live here. I'm passionate about helping them reach their goals and I love to see their progression and their growth."

Shared Lives said it supported a wide range of individuals with varying abilities and needs.

It said some are fairly independent and only needed guidance, reminders or explanation, while others needed assistance with most day-to day needs.

Carers do not need specific qualifications but simply need a "wide range of skills and life experience", it said.

The people the organisation is looking for can be single or couples, with or without children living at home, as long as they are over 18 years of age and have a spare bedroom.

A carer can support up to three people, with working hours that fit around their family life and other work that they do.

Emma Legg, corporate director for care and wellbeing, said: "Being a Shared Lives Carer is really flexible. Carers can choose the level of care they would like to provide.

"If that includes personal care, full training will be given, but if they did not want to provide personal care that would be absolutely fine, as carers and the people they support are matched carefully to ensure it is an enjoyable, fulfilling and valuable experience for all."

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