Becoming a Shared Lives carer
Live in South Gloucestershire and curious about Shared Lives?
We’ve got a great opportunity for South Gloucestershire this December to learn more about Shared Lives.
Or join our free Webinar on 18th December, 12–1pm to hear real stories, ask questions, and explore how you could make a lasting difference.
Becoming a Shared Lives carer in South Gloucestershire Webinar
Could you be a Shared Lives carer?
Are you a caring person looking for more than just a job — but a meaningful role that fits around your life?
Becoming an Ategi Shared Lives carer could be the perfect opportunity. It’s flexible, rewarding work from home, where you make a real difference in someone’s life.
Take our quiz and find out if you could be a Shared Lives carer
A bit about Shared Lives
As a Shared Lives carer, you’ll open your home and heart to an adult with additional needs, supporting them to build life skills, achieve their personal goals, and live more independently — their way.
You’ll be more than a carer; you’ll be a trusted companion and guide, helping someone live a fuller, more confident life as part of your family.
And the best part? You’ll do this rewarding work from home, with flexible hours that fit around your life. It’s not just a job — it’s a meaningful career where every day makes a real difference.
Do you want to know more about becoming a Shared Lives carer?
If you want to start an application or still have questions please contact us.
Apply to be Shared Lives carer Frequently asked questions Take our Shared Lives quiz!
Find out more about Shared Lives
Shared Lives
Shared Lives means welcoming someone into your home as part of your household — and often, your family. You’ll need a spare room where they can live, making it their own space within your home. The length of stay can vary greatly, from a few months to many years, depending on the person’s needs and goals.
The individual you support will usually spend their days out in the community, at work, college, or with another approved Shared Lives carer for day support. This means your role is centred on providing a warm, stable, and supportive home life where they can feel safe, valued, and included.
Wendy having a cup of tea with her Shared Lives carer.
Short Breaks
Shared Lives Short Breaks gives someone a chance to stay in your home for a period of rest, respite, or change of scenery. This could be overnight, over a weekend, for a few days, a week, or even longer — depending on their needs and what you’re able to offer.
It might be a one-off visit, or it could become a regular arrangement where they look forward to returning time and again. Either way, you’ll be providing a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment that gives them — and often their usual caregivers — valuable time to recharge and enjoy new experiences.
Shared Days
Shared Days is perfect for people who don’t have a spare room or prefer to offer support during the day. It’s also a great way to begin your journey as a Shared Lives carer — a flexible and rewarding way to see if it’s right for you.
You’ll spend time with an adult with additional needs at your home or out in the community, sharing everyday experiences and helping them build confidence and skills. Whether it’s learning something new, trying a hobby, or simply enjoying a day out, you’ll be making a real difference — one meaningful day at a time.
Hear from our current Shared Lives carers
Juliet
"We've been with Ategi Shared Lives a long time, we've found them to be professional, kind and willing to listen and they're always there to support us. They care about the young people and the person we support, they're invested. We love seeing the girls we support grow in confidence, seeing them grow into young women. Earning their trust. I enjoy the challenge. If feel proud to be part of it" "
Juliet, based in Buckinghamshire, has been a dedicated carer for individuals with additional needs for many years. Alongside her husband Charles, Juliet transitioned from being a foster carer to a Shared Lives carer in 2009, becoming the first Shared Lives carer for Ategi in Buckinghamshire.
Grazelda
"When you have someone to stay you need to listen to the needs of the individual, listen to what their background is. You also need to be honest about how much time you can commit."
Grazela is one of our Shared Lives carers from South Gloucestershire. She’s been supporting Wendy for 24 years, since Wendy was 8 years old. When Wendy turned 18 and was transitioning from Foster care to adult services, she requested to live with Grazelda through Shared Lives.
Martin and Liz
"Think of it as something that you can experience in your life."
Martin and Liz were already carers for their son Stephen, who has learning disabilities, when they joined Shared Lives. They provide Shared Lives short breaks and respite care. Shared Lives is helping them to socialise Stephen and prepare him for living with people outside the family home.
Annie
"The most fulfilling part is giving them a family, being a family. That’s what it’s all about."
Annie has spent decades opening her home and heart to young people with additional needs. Her journey began as a foster carer, but transitioned into a Shared Lives arrangement, with the ongoing support of Ategi.
Kim & Gary
"This isn’t just caregiving; it’s about building relationships that last,”
Kim and Gary, two of our brilliant carers in Central Bedfordshire, share with us their transition from foster care to Shared Lives. This journey begins with a sad loss—their son, who tragically passed away. While the grief was overwhelming, it sparked something transformative within them.
What do you need to become an Ategi Shared Lives carer?
You need to be caring
This is the most important skill you'll need. You might have a background in care work, have cared for a family member or simply a willingness to learn.
Live in your own home
It's important that you live in your own home, have a living space that the person you're supporting can spend time in. For someone to move in or stay for short breaks you need a spare bedroom.
Have a sense of humour
You'll have a great sense of humour and be able to have fun with the person you support.
You need to have enough time
Shared Lives carers don't provide 24/7 support, but they do need to be able to give time to the person they support.
What kind of support will I need to provide?
Every Shared Lives arrangement is unique to the carer and to each person they support.
Our carers support people to live independent full lives, whatever shape that takes. That could be taking them out and about or you might take an active role in nurturing their skills and talents, like Lorna did when she supported Summa with her passion for Manga animation. It might even be simply helping them learn to ride the bus and cook for themselves - all achievements are important and celebrated.
Benefits & support
Payment allowances
The payment allowance Shared Lives carers receive varies depending on where you are in the country.
Tax breaks
Plus, you get a generous tax-break – you will not pay tax on the first £10,000 your earn.
Training & support
We'll assign you a Coordinator who will support you. Training is important, and you'll start during your assessment and continue throughout your time as a Shared Lives Carer.
The role of Shared Lives Plus
We pay for Shared Lives Plus membership for our carers - providing access to support, advice, insurance and much more.
Holidays & breaks
As you choose your lifestyle as a self-employed person, you can take holiday whenever you like as part of your new shared life.
Careful matching process
As a Shared Lives carer your arrangement is flexible to you and your life.
Read about some of our Shared Lives arrangements
Where can I be an Ategi Shared Lives carer?
There are Shared Lives schemes all over the country, below are the areas where Ategi run Shared Lives schemes.
Wales: Cardiff
England: Buckinghamshire, Southwark, Slough, Central Bedfordshire & South Gloucestershire
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