A Shared Lives Story
Dennis has lived with Lynne and Ian for 39 years and this year celebrated his milestone 80th birthday.
Aged just 41 Dennis was matched to Shared Lives Carers Lynne and Ian Craig in 1985, in what was then known as Adult Placement. Supporting Dennis as part of their family, Dennis has enjoyed almost four decades living and growing with the couples’ own children, watching them have their own families, celebrating many special occasions, events, births and birthdays.
Dennis has a close relationship with all the family, and knowing what a huge fan of Stourbridge Football Club and the Stourbridge Glassboys Dennis has been for all his life, Lynne and Ian’s daughter Lucie, and her partner Ozz arranged for the whole family to attend a match. Already having been presented with a shirt signed by all the players, Dennis was able to re-connect with old friends, and share his birthday cake amongst the fans as they cheered and chanted ‘Happy Birthday’!
Dennis has now made the decision to move on from Shared Lives and Lynne and Ian’s home, recognising his own increasing care needs are becoming less manageable in a family environment.
Dennis, a man of few words, comments
“It has been lovely living with Lynne and Ian! I like all the family!”
Lynne and Ian have spent the best part of 40 years supporting Dennis, Chris and David as part of their family.
Ian says: “It has been a slow and steady voyage of discovery, to understand the needs of the people we support, and we have been very lucky to share our lives with Dennis, Chris and David.”
Commenting on the future, Lynne notes: “Dennis is really excited about this new chapter in his life, as we all are, and even though Dennis will not live with us any longer, we will also be part of his life, and look forward to seeing him settled and well in his new home.”
Lynne and Ian were nominated for the Carer of the Year award at last year’s West Midland Care Association Excellence in Care Awards. Although they did not bag the main prize, they are certainly winners in our eyes for their long and dedicated career in Social Care.
