June 1, 2014

Annie’s New Direction

Its nearly 13 years ago that arriving brand new to PSS I joined the Shared Lives (or as it was then Adult Placement) family. I was struck immediately by the uniqueness and wow factor of the service. And so I started my journey from Adult Placement to Shared Lives and beyond.

Back then there was a core of carers based in Merseyside who had been providing a supportive family setting for vulnerable people for nearly 20 years at PSS. Adult Placement was very much a best kept secret but slowly over time news got out and the family expanded.

Firstly in 2002 Wirral carers joined the PSS Shared Lives family, a process that I was very much part of and so happy to meet the carers who were all extraordinary people living extraordinary lives.

Next came Wales, I had the great pleasure again of being part of the process to establish the service, meeting many amazing carers doing an amazing job. Not content with England and Wales, Scotland followed close behind with a base in Kirkintilloch, Glasgow.

Over the years I regularly visited Kirkintilloch attending carers meetings and have being awe inspired by the work of the carers providing family placements for adults of all ages and experience.

The Shared Lives family expanded again when Staffordshire joined PSS. Again I had the great opportunity of being there at the beginning, supporting carers and service users in the transfer to PSS welcoming them as part of the family. Very recently Wolverhampton has also come on board.

The range of people supported in the Shared Lives family has also expanded: people with learning disabilities, older people, people with mental health needs, complex physical and sensory disabilities, mums and babies, young people leaving care and people caught up in the criminal justice system. I don’t want to mention any carers by name because in my opinion you all deserve accolades for the difference you have made to hundreds of peoples lives.

So now nearly 13 years later there are 400+ carers at PSS who are all doing what it says on the tin – sharing their lives with others!

Elements of my role have changed through the years from the early days of carer recruitment and development, management of panel, supporting transfers, supporting carers with learning and development and carers meetings to my most recent specialist and advisory role. I’ve never had a moment to spare or a moment of boredom as a member of the Shared Lives family, always mindful that without the carers and service users none of this would have been possible.

So after 13 years the time has come for me to pack my bags and take a new direction. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s been a wrench but I’m taking all my amazing experiences with me. I will be working with the PSS Wellbeing Centres from 28th July and I feel excited at the opportunity for a new and different challenge. So as I reflect and look back as I empty my filing cabinet, I also look forward knowing that I have the full support of the PSS family behind me.

I’ve never had a momentto spare or a moment of boredom as a member of the shared lives family.