In Surrey, we've learned that some of the most effective support doesn't always happen within traditional or large-scale care settings - it comes from people, from homes, and from relationships. That's the essence of Shared Lives, and why I believe so strongly in its value.
Surrey Choices Shared Lives scheme offers a high-quality, personalised and community-oriented alternative to traditional adult social care settings. It matches people who need support — often with learning disabilities, mental ill health or complex needs — with paid carers who open their homes and lives to them. The model combines professional oversight with real human connection, and it delivers not just exceptional care, but measurable impact for individuals, their families, and the public purse.
The financial case is compelling. Shared Lives is estimated to save between £8,000 and £30,000 per person per year for individuals with learning disabilities, and around £8,000 annually for those with mental ill health, compared to residential or supported living options. With 66 long-term arrangements in place this year and nine emergency placements, the scheme is likely saving well over £1 million of public funding a year.
But it's the personal stories behind these numbers that show what Shared Lives really offers.
Take Jasmin, one of our experienced Shared Lives carers. For her, this isn't just a career, it's a calling, deeply rooted in her family. Her parents were nursing home owners and Shared Lives carers, and she grew up surrounded by care and compassion. Today, Jasmin supports two people — a man in his 30s and a woman in her 60s — who have become part of her extended family.
Jasmin prides herself on creating a warm, consistent routine: providing personal care, preparing meals together, and spending time relaxing or visiting family and friends. She describes the Shared Lives scheme as a "very special" part of her life, and that the people she supports are her "world."
That depth of relationship is priceless, and it's exactly why the Care Quality Commission consistently rates Shared Lives as one of the safest and highest-quality forms of social care in the country.
But Shared Lives isn't just about support, it's also about personal growth. Beth's story brings this to life.
Beth, a young woman with a health condition that causes her to faint unexpectedly, was spending long periods isolated due to her condition, especially when her mum was at work. After several near-accidents and a growing sense that her life was being limited, she and her family explored other options, eventually choosing Shared Lives.
Beth was matched with Terri, a carer who immediately created a stable, supportive home environment. The change was transformative, improving her confidence and reducing her anxiety. Beth is becoming more independent every day, enjoying her work delivering Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and looking forward to a big trip to DisneyWorld.
This is what Shared Lives does best. It transforms lives through ordinary yet extraordinary acts of inclusion, providing stability and dignity. In Surrey, the model is scaling to meet rising demand. In 2024–2025, we've seen:
● A 65% rise in Short Breaks provision, delivering 771 nights of overnight support.
● A record 144 referrals, 19 for emergency support and 20 for people with support needs who moved into long-term arrangements.
● A growing number of emergency placements transitioning to permanent homes within the scheme, showing flexibility and long-term value.
● And crucially, increased carer recruitment, with 15 new carer assessments currently underway.
We're also expanding partnerships with Surrey's fostering teams and mental health services. For example, a new funding model is in development to better support individuals with complex mental health needs, recognising that support should fit need, not budgets.
Shared Lives is also helping people connect beyond their homes. Monthly social clubs in Epsom and Redhill are helping those we support to build friendships, social confidence, and a sense of community, often for the first time in their lives.
For all these reasons, Shared Lives in Surrey continues to grow not just in size, but in impact. At a time when adult social care systems are under enormous pressure, this model shows what's possible when we put relationships at the heart of care.
In Surrey, we've seen firsthand what can happen when people are supported to belong. Shared Lives doesn't just save money — it changes lives.
Louise Hayes is Operations Director at Surrey Choices, a Local Authority Trading Company for Surrey County Council
Shared Lives Week takes place from 23–27 June and is run by Shared Lives Plus, the UK membership charity for Shared Lives schemes and Shared Lives carers.
