A Shared Lives story
All about Sean…
Sean has lived with Diane and David for eight years, and this year met with our Trust Life of Opportunity reviewers to hear his story.
From Foster Care to Shared Lives, Diane and David have supported Sean to fully live his life of opportunity. It’s a challenge getting to meet Sean with his jam packed diary, but his routine and structure have been developed through Sean’s determination to find paid work. From voluntary work for friends and neighbours, completing tasks such as cutting hedges, fencing and gardening, to litter picking around the neighbourhood, Sean like to be busy. Using his skills and with support from his Shared Lives Carers and Wolverhampton Supported Employment Team, Sean applied for work as a Street Cleaner and has been successful in securing a paid role for 12 hours per week.
Sean has also started a new college course during 2023 and attends two and a half days a week to study life skills such as gardening, cooking, plumbing etc. Growing in confidence and independence, Sean gets the bus independently to and from college and work, developing new friendships within these different settings.
Diane and David encourage Sean to put these skills to good use at home, and he now will do his own laundry with some support and can tidy and polish his bedroom with some prompting!
Sports and exercise are really important to Sean, and around his college and work, Sean finds time to attend weekly sessions of football for Wolves Foundation Team, cricket with a local group for adults with learning disabilities, along with walking the dogs, going out on his bike, and spending time with the family!
Here is Sean with a recent a medal from a football competition with his 7-a-side team!
Family holidays
Going on holiday has been a key part of Sean’s life with his Shared Lives Carers. They all had a great time during a holiday to the Lake District, taking part in many activities and excursions. Sean even got to drive a boat!
Not to mention, Sean, Diane and David went on holiday to Jamaica in June. Everyone had a great time and Sean made friends on their holiday and in their hotel. Diane expressed it was a brilliant holiday where Sean really embraced his confidence. Sean made friends with a family and also had dinner with them one night in their all-inclusive resort!
