ASA Celebrate 20 years of Shared Lives
Adults Supporting Adults (ASA) celebrated 20 years of Shared Lives (formerly known as adults placements) yesterday as part of a wider network of events across the country to highlight Shared Lives week. The day hosted by ASA at Sleaford rugby club was open to all Shared Lives providers and clients from across the East Midlands. Among the sixty plus people in attendance were families from as far afield as Nottingham and Leicester. The crowd were entertained by Phil the Community Drummer and the Alive and Kicking Dance and Drama group, with both acts involving everyone in their performances.
Chief Executive Trixie Bennett said “We are very proud to host such a successful day and that people have come from all over the East Midlands to attend demonstrates its value. It really is important to have such events as it highlights the great work of Shared Lives Providers across the whole of the region.”
Still not widely known, although there are some 10,000 providers in the UK, Shared Lives arrangements are for people who need support to further develop their social and independence skills whilst living within the security of a family setting. Such families provide real opportunity for people with a disability or mental illness to still live within their own communities as opposed to residential or nursing care. Shared Lives evolved in the early 1990’s when the government at that time began closing down the big institutions such as Harmston Hospital and placing people in the community.
If you would like to find out more about the resources ASA can provide within your community, then you can call them on 01529 416270 or visit their website at: www.asaorg.co.uk They are even on Facebook and Twitter.
