What makes a successful Shared Lives family? For Adam, success meant finding a match that made sense for him.
After spending short periods of time with another family, Adam was referred to MacIntyre by his social worker. The team were informed he struggled to speak to people he was unfamiliar with and often took him long periods of time to become comfortable enough to engage with others.
When visited by our Shared Lives team to discuss whom Adam ideally would like as his Shared Lives carer, he appeared anxious and unsettled at the prospect of a stranger in his home. He avoided contact with the team and eventually left the room, further expressing his discomfort.
At MacIntyre Shared Lives, the foundation of a flourishing family is always reliant on the bond between the caregiver and the individual they support. Consulting those who knew Adam best, the Shared Lives team learnt that he was fond of being busy and thrived if he knew he could contribute to important tasks. Not only this, but Adam’s mum told the team that he bonded with the caretaker at his college.
Armed with this knowledge, the team began to explore potential carer’s that would be suitable for Adam. Doug immediately came to mind. Handy with DIY, always helpful and a volunteer at the local community centre, Doug was a promising candidate.
Thrilled at the prospect of meeting Adam, but aware that he would take time to engage with him, Doug agreed to meet Adam for the first time.
Shared Lives Area Manager Kathryn Yates said:
“When I walked into the house, I couldn’t believe it was the same young man. Adam was sat relaxed on the sofa and was explaining to Doug how big his music system was. Doug had a lot of DJ equipment, so they were comparing notes. We were all surprised at how well and how quickly they had clicked.”
Through MacIntyre Shared Lives, Adam has since engaged with Doug’s family, his dogs and now assists Doug at the community centre. For Doug, MacIntyre Shared Lives introduced him to a lifelong friend.
If you or someone you know would like to find out more about becoming a MacIntyre Shared Lives carer, please visit our Shared Lives page to learn about the project in your area.
*Names have been changed
