Hi, my name is Jo, and I joined the Shared Lives team 4 years ago.

I love the work we do in the team; it is so rewarding both for us and the carers and clients we support. We are a small team of qualified social workers and a qualified Learning Disability nurse who support 82 Shared Lives arrangements across Leeds and outlying areas.

My personal background started in Learning Disability Day Services as a care assistant. I then spent 7 years with the Youth Offending team in Leeds, combining working part time in an Older Persons team in Seacroft. I was then seconded by Leeds to undertake my social work training.

Over the years I have worked in various teams in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees as an agency social worker. This was in Older Persons teams and Learning Disability Care Management.

Shared Lives offers such great opportunities for our clients, and it is a joy to watch people flourish in the homes of our amazing carers!

We have a carer whose mum lives in Italy, so the young man she has living in her family has had the opportunity to visit there and proudly told me he had learnt to swim in the sea.

Another gentleman was placed with a couple who have family in America and was fortunate to experience a road trip visiting all the famous states. He had photographs to show where he had been with an I LOVE …  t-shirt for every place!

We also celebrate smaller achievements, such as accessing the community independently, making friendships, and learning new skills. Through regular reviews we can identify good outcomes for our clients.

It really is a privilege to work alongside our carers who all do a fantastic job – particularly during the pandemic when they were at home 24/7 with their clients, some of whom can be challenging.

Shared Lives really does embody the values of St Anne’s and I feel very lucky to be working in this team!