Journey Skills Podcast

Independence can be reached in many ways. Shared Lives in the UK offers one approach to help people with additional needs develop independence focused skills based on a holistic approach. This week we talk to Karen from Shared Lives who explains how this innovative program works. Shared Lives matches hosts with people requiring support to develop certain skills. It offers a more individualized and a supportive family and community focusing approach. There are a variety of ways to access the program, whether that be a full time placement within a family or day opportunities where hosts might teach specific skills such as baking. Karen explains how Shared Lives works and the benefits of being in a home environment with 1:1 support which enables skills to be developed at the pace of the individual. Karen says one advantage of the Shared Lives approach is the ability to tailor to an individual needs and provide sustained support at the level they need for a timescale that suits them. Karen also talks about the pr