Jamison and Andrew’s Story
Jamison has been living under a Shared Lives arrangement with Andrew and his family for nearly eight years. Prior to this arrangement, Jamison had been in a specialist home for over 20 years, due to suffering with epilepsy.
Jamison feels like he “now has the freedom to do the things that I enjoy, when I want to do them, just like most other people. I can choose to go out, without telling anyone, and meet friends in my favourite cafe. I can do most things for myself but can get help when I need it.”
Comparing his previous experience within the specialist home, Jamison can choose to go to Karate, order a pizza or go to the pub, with or without Andrew. Jamison believes his “Epilepsy does not now stop me from doing anything and my health has improved since being in Shared Lives.”
Jamison enjoys the independence the Shared Lives arrangement gives him, Jamison said “People are not doing things for me all the time, and this makes me happy. I now have my own house and garden, something I never thought would happen to me.”
For Jamison, traditional forms of care, similar to his previous specialist home could be quite restrictive. Under the Shared Lives scheme, he has been able to grow as an individual and have access to other opportunities.
Jamison has now become a Shared Lives Ambassador for Shared Lives Plus, giving talks on how to help people know more about epilepsy, working with Local Services, and visiting lots of new places for the service.
Jamison says he “likes feeling a part of things, I like helping people and they let me do it now. People listen to my opinions and ideas, although I am not always right, this also makes me happy.
I am very, very proud to be a Shared Lives Ambassador.”
Individuals supported under Shared Lives can succeed in other areas of life. They have the opportunity to develop new networks, learn new skills, and possibly gain education or employment prospects within the community.
More stories from Shared Lives Plus
Contact us
Email: Shared.Lives@barnet.gov.uk
Telephone: 0208 359 3576