About the project

As part of the Greater Manchester Live More project, Community Catalysts worked in partnership with Shared Lives Plus to provide targeted support to increase the number of new Shared Lives carers.

Shared Lives is a different way of providing care and support. Instead of relying on buildings or shift patterns, it is built around relationships. Shared Lives carers are self-employed and share their homes, family life and local communities with people who need support, helping them to live ordinary lives with the people and places that matter to them.

Community Catalysts has a longstanding passion for, and understanding of, the Shared Lives model. Our expertise in local models of care and support and self-employment, meant we were well placed to undertake this work.

The project focused on raising awareness of the Shared Lives model through local employment programmes, testing whether closer links with employment initiatives could help reach new potential carers. The three areas identified for this work were Oldham, Stockport and Tameside.

Our approach

The original intention was to focus specifically on the WorkWell initiative in Greater Manchester, which supports residents who are struggling to remain in work due to health-related challenges and to promote the Shared Lives Dementia pilot in particular.

However, early discussions with Shared Lives scheme leads highlighted that:

• Local Shared Lives teams were not always aware of the breadth of employment programmes operating in their areas
• Many employment programmes sit within local councils or partner organisations, creating a strong opportunity for collaboration
• Employment programmes were largely unaware of Shared Lives as a care and employment option
• Housing providers also represented an untapped opportunity, as they often provide employment advice and support alongside housing services
• Some employment schemes work with cohorts that are particularly well suited to Shared Lives, such as women over 50 or people with caring experience

As a result it was agreed to:

• Broaden the focus beyond WorkWell to include all relevant local employment programmes
• Promote the wider Shared Lives opportunity, rather than limiting engagement to the dementia pilot alone
• Act as a connector, joining the dots between Shared Lives schemes and employment services to build sustainable local relationships

Methodology

The work was delivered through a short, intensive piece of engagement activity and followed these key steps:

Initial engagement and preparation – we contacted Shared Lives schemes in each area to understand current engagement with employment programmes, and met with Shared Lives leads to secure buy-in and gather local marketing materials.

Mapping local employment programmes – we researched and identified local employment schemes in each area, contacting 17 schemes in Oldham, 14 in Tameside and 12 in Stockport.

Arranging one-to-one meetings – we had one-to-one conversations with people from the employment schemes that expressed interest. These meetings provided opportunities to hear more about Shared Lives, ask questions and identify next steps. We were able to hand over any warm leads to the relevant Shared Lives team.

Results of the engagement

Get Oldham Working (Oldham Council) were enthusiastic about Shared Lives and suggested developing a bespoke ‘Step Into Shared Lives’ course, potentially delivered jointly with Shared Lives Oldham. They highlighted that many people see care work as limited to agency or NHS roles and are unaware of Shared Lives as an option. An introduction was made to the Oldham Shared Lives Manager.

First Choice Homes Oldham were keen to explore Shared Lives as an opportunity for tenants. Introductions were made to Shared Lives in Oldham.

Groundwork Oldham were eager to promote Shared Lives across their programmes and planned to brief team leaders in January. Connections were made with local Shared Lives leads.

Stockport Council – Work and Skills invited Shared Lives to present at a large employment provider meeting attended by dozens of providers. Stockport Shared Lives will present online in January 2026.

Stockport Homes Group / Skylight’s employment team expressed interest and agreed to meet via the provider network. Stockport Shared Lives will attend and present.

The Goodness Collective, Stockport were very positive, and one attendee (an experienced carer), expressed strong interest in becoming a Shared Lives carer.

Groundwork Stockport were keen to promote Shared Lives across their programmes and planned to brief team leaders in January. Connections were made with local Shared Lives leads.

Tameside in Work employment coaches identified several people on their programme likely to be interested in Shared Lives. They were keen to meet the local Shared Lives team, so we made introductions.

Age UK Tameside (Employment Programme) were eager to promote Shared Lives to people they support and also interested in the Shared Lives Dementia pilot running until April 2026. We connected them to the Tameside team.

Groundwork Tameside were keen to promote Shared Lives across their programmes and planned to brief team leaders in January. Connections were made with local Shared Lives leads.

Reflections and learning

• A significant amount was achieved in a short period of time (2 contracted days)
• There was a consistently positive response to Shared Lives across all areas
• Local schemes often operate in silos and are unaware of each other’s work, even within the same council
• Initial concerns that the self-employment model might be a barrier did not materialise

Common questions related to:

• Whether Shared Lives support can be provided from the carer’s home or the person’s home
• How benefits interact with becoming a Shared Lives carer

Recommendations and next steps

• Local Shared Lives schemes to follow up on agreed actions and warm leads
• Schemes could re-contact organisations that did not respond, using local flyers and materials
• Replicate this approach in other areas across Greater Manchester and beyond
• Explore wider engagement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Celebrate early successes to build momentum
• Track longer-term outcomes, including applications, enquiries and conversions to new Shared Lives carers