Shared Lives: Building a bridge from hospital back to home

Across the UK, health and social care services are facing a growing challenge. Many people are medically ready to leave hospital but stay longer than needed because the right support isn’t yet in place at home. This can affect people’s wellbeing and independence, while also putting extra pressure on hospital beds and staff. Social care delays now account for a large proportion of delayed hospital discharges, making it harder for the NHS to care for people who need urgent inpatient treatment. Care Quality Commission+1 

For people with additional needs, leaving the hospital can feel overwhelming. Returning straight home isn’t always possible or safe, but staying in hospital for too long can lead to its own risks. Shared Lives offers a different, more personal option, supporting people to regain confidence in a real home environment and helping bridge the gap between hospital care and life back in the community. 

A real example: Dennis’ story 

Dennis is a retired man in his 70s from Cardiff. After a serious health episode, he spent four months in hospital. Although he was ready to leave, Dennis didn’t feel able to return to his flat. He had been taken advantage of financially and no longer felt safe living there. 

Dennis’ social worker suggested exploring Shared Lives and contacted Ategi’s Shared Lives team. While still in hospital, Dennis met with a Shared Lives carer and one of our practitioners. There was no pressure to make a quick decision; the focus was on listening, understanding what mattered to Dennis, and what support would help him move forward. 

Dennis moved into his Shared Lives carer’s home for a short period. The support was not clinical and didn’t involve personal care. Instead, it was about everyday life; having someone there, gentle reminders to take medication, encouragement to get out and about, shared meals, and companionship. This steady, consistent support helped Dennis feel safe and supported while he rebuilt his confidence. 

After a few weeks, a new flat became available. With help from his carer, Dennis chose furniture and settled into his new home. His mental health improved, his independence grew, and he was able to move forward feeling more secure and connected. 

Dennis’ experience shows how Shared Lives can provide a vital bridge offering continuity, reassurance and practical support at a key moment, and helping people move from hospital back to independent living. 

Shared Lives in context: why it matters 

National guidance on hospital discharge highlights the importance of meeting people’s social needs as well as their health needs when they leave hospital. Returning home safely, with the right support in place, plays a key role in recovery and helps reduce the risk of readmission. GOV.UK 

In Wales, this approach is reflected in the NHS Wales Home First principle, which recognises that for most people, home, or a home-like setting, is the best place to recover. Spending longer than necessary in hospitals can lead to deconditioning, including loss of strength, reduced independence, and impacts on mental wellbeing such as confusion or low mood. Being supported to return to everyday routines, like getting dressed or making a cup of tea, helps people maintain independence and recover more quickly. NHS Wales 

Shared Lives fits naturally alongside this approach to care. It has been explored as an option for people who are medically ready to leave hospital but need time, stability, or reassurance before returning to their own home. An NDTi evaluation of a Shared Lives intermediate care pilot looked at short-term, family-based support for people leaving hospital, capturing learning about how this kind of setting can help people rebuild confidence, routines and community connections. NDTi+1 

Local initiatives such as Safe at Home, led by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, show the impact of community-based alternatives to hospital stays. Since launching in January 2024, the service has supported over 1,400 people and saved around 13,000 hospital bed days by providing assessment and short-term care in people’s own homes or communities. Cardiff and Vale UHB. These approaches ease pressure on hospitals while supporting better outcomes for individuals. 

Programmes that help people settle safely into supportive home environments after hospital are increasingly recognised as essential in reducing delayed discharge, improving quality of life and freeing up hospital capacity for those with acute needs. PSS 

Why Shared Lives works 

Shared Lives is more than short-term support. It’s about relationships, belonging, and person-centred care. Carers offer everyday support, encouragement and companionship, helping people reconnect with their communities and rebuild confidence in their own abilities. 

For people like Dennis, having someone to return to, not just a care plan, makes all the difference. Shared Lives provides the time, space and human connection people need to move forward safely, reduce time spent in hospital, and build a life that feels stable, meaningful and their own.