A PARTY in the Park filled with games and music once again celebrated the success of Tameside’s Shared Lives scheme.
The Shared Lives’ team, carers and service users gathered in Stamford Park for the annual event on June 28 to recognise the hard work of the dedicated carers, who support service users living daily with disabilities and vulnerabilities.
Everyone enjoyed a game of competitive rounders, a picnic and craft activities, accompanied by live music.
Cllr John Taylor, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said: “The Shared Lives scheme is an amazing opportunity for service users to have independence and make real choices with personalised support.
“Our annual picnic in the park is a fun-filled celebration recognising our amazing carers for the work they do on a daily basis.
“Not to forget we are also celebrating the hard work of those in Tameside’s Adult Services who alongside the carers help to make the scheme a success.”
Tameside Council recruits, trains, matches and supports individuals or families who act as Shared Lives Carers. The carers support older people, people with physical and/or learning disabilities or mental health needs to live or share their daily life with an approved carer.
This empowers them to live an ordinary and independent life in the local community, sometimes long-term, for a short period, or even on a day support basis.
No formal qualifications are needed and people from a variety of backgrounds, with different skills and life experience, are welcomed to join.
Those considering involvement with scheme must be flexible, sensitive, tolerant and patient, with a genuine interest in supporting vulnerable people.
Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/sharedlives or call 0161 342 5151 for more information on how to get involved.