Meet Clare
Shared Lives isn’t like people think – it’s not a flat, not a care home. It’s like family. You don’t have to pretend to be someone else. You can just be you.
When you meet Clare, you see someone full of warmth, creativity, and a real joy for life. At 31, she’s been embracing her love of anime and cosplay for years — attending conventions, dressing up as her favourite characters, and finding community with people who get as excited about the same things she does. She volunteers with a charity shop, enjoys crafts like diamond art, and often travels to visit her girlfriend in the Netherlands.
Always eager to learn and grow, Clare says, “Just because I’m 31 doesn’t mean there’s never enough time to explore something new each day. Live your life to the fullest until you get bored of it – and then do something else.”
Finding Shared Lives
Clare’s journey to Shared Lives started when her social worker suggested it might be a good fit. After her first placement, she moved in with her current carers, Reetesh and Deepa, and began sharing a home with another person supported, Sophie.
It’s a move Clare describes as transforming: “It has been amazing. I’ve managed to spread my wings and explore new things, like learning to cook, getting more organised, and being more independent.”
Home Life
In her Shared Lives home, Clare and Sophie each have their own rooms and their own kitchen space they share, but they’ve worked out a rhythm that feels like family life. They share household responsibilities, keep routines that suit them both, and make time for the fun things too.
Clare laughs about their agreement on a dishwasher: “Sophie’s trying to convince me, but I said no – that’s cheating!” But behind the humour is a sense of pride — Shared Lives has given her the space to make her own choices and the confidence to live more independently.
More Than Just Support
Clare explains that Shared Lives isn’t about fitting into a mould. “It’s not like a flat where support just comes in once a week, and it’s not a care home. It’s family life. My carer is like a dad, a brother, and a best mate all in one.”
Her carers prompt her when she needs it, encourage her to take on new challenges, and support her to build confidence in small, everyday ways. From decluttering her room to growing pumpkins in the garden, Clare has had the chance to try new things, learn skills, and enjoy successes.
Looking Back and Looking Forward
Before Shared Lives, Clare says life was much harder. “It wasn’t very good. I didn’t have the mindset I have now. I didn’t understand money, or how change worked. Shared Lives has helped me improve my skills, become more independent, and more social.”
Now she feels settled, supported, and excited for the future. Her mum often asks after her “extra family,” which Clare says sums it up perfectly: “I’ve got my first family, and I’ve got my extended family, which is my Shared Lives family. And that makes all the difference. Even when I have my down days, I've still got the love and support of my Shared Lives family.”
As Clare puts it: “Shared Lives is like stepping into a magical forest where your wishes come true. It’s not about what people fear – it’s about family, laughter, and confidence.”
Clare dressed up for Comic con.
Clare showing us the pumpkin she's growing.
Clare with her AntiHate hero award from Comic con.
Clare with one of her Shared Lives carers.
Clare dressed in some of her steam punk gear.
Could Shared Lives be right for you?
Do you want to live in a welcoming home, with people who care about you and treat you like family?
With Shared Lives, you can have your own space in someone’s home and be supported to live the life you want.
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