A new health and social care pilot in Greater Manchester is helping people living with dementia stay active, connected and well – while giving family carers a vital break.
Live More with Shared Lives matches people living with dementia with trained Shared Lives carers from their local community. Together, they spend time each week doing everyday things that matter to them – from walking in the park and visiting cafés to gardening, watching sport or simply chatting over a brew.
The aim is simple: to help people live well for longer and give families the support they need to keep going.
The pilot, led by charity Shared Lives Plus, is being highlighted during Dementia Action Week, run by Alzheimer’s Society. The week raises awareness of the impact dementia can have on people and families and the importance of support that helps people stay connected to the lives they want to lead.
In Bury, Jean and her husband John are already seeing the difference.
John, who is living with Alzheimer’s, had stopped going to a local DIY group he once enjoyed. With support from a Shared Lives carer, he has been able to return – getting back to something familiar and meaningful. Together, they’ve worked on joinery projects and even created handmade planters for other local services.
Jean described the support as “invaluable”, giving her the time and space she needs to continue supporting John at home.
In Salford, Julie says the support has made “a huge positive difference” to both her mum Maureen and the wider family.
Since being matched with Shared Lives carer Cindy, Maureen has been visiting museums, shopping centres, cafés and taking part in local activities.
“Mum is genuinely happy and looks forward to going out with her Shared Lives carer,” Julie said.
Julie says the support has helped restore Maureen’s confidence and independence while giving the family reassurance and peace of mind.
“Shared Lives has made a huge positive difference to Mum’s wellbeing and to our family,” she said.
The gap families face
Across Greater Manchester and beyond, support for people living with dementia often only arrives when families reach crisis point.
Many families face long periods after diagnosis with little ongoing support – leading to isolation, declining wellbeing and increasing pressure on families.
The wider impact is clear:
· Around 1 in 4 hospital beds is occupied by someone living with dementia
· People with dementia stay in hospital more than twice as long as others over 65
· An estimated 70–80% of care home residents are living with dementiai
Live More is testing a different approach – reaching people earlier with flexible, relationship-based support that helps prevent crisis, not just respond to it.
Support built around what matters
Live More builds on Shared Lives – a well-established example of what the future of good social care looks like – where people are carefully matched with approved carers through their local scheme.
It starts by getting to know the person and how they want to live their life. People are matched based on shared interests, so time together feels natural. Support happens
both in the home and out in the community – doing the things people enjoy and staying connected to people and places that matter to them.
Just as importantly, it gives family carers regular time and space to step back.
Earlier support, better outcomes
What makes Live More different is when support happens. Instead of waiting until people need intensive, formal social care services, it tests what happens when Shared Lives support:
· reaches people earlier in their dementia journey
· focuses on relationships built around what matters to people
· helps people stay part of their community
· gives family carers regular, reliable time out
Ewan King, CEO of Shared Lives Plus, said:
“People with dementia and their families consistently tell us what matters – staying connected, having a life beyond dementia, and for family carers, having time to recharge.
Too often, that support isn’t there until crisis. Live More is showing that when we act earlier, with the right kind of support, people can enjoy greater wellbeing for longer – and in difficult circumstances, families are better able to cope, helping to delay moves into expensive residential care homes.”
A shift towards prevention
Live More is part of Greater Manchester’s ‘Live Well’ approach which focuses on prevention – helping people stay well and independent for longer, in line with the NHS 10 Year Plan.
The pilot is running across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs and is independently evaluated, with findings expected later this year.
Early signs show it is helping people:
· stay active and connected
· maintain wellbeing and independence
· reduce isolation and low mood
· give family carers vital time to rest and recharge
Find out more To find out more about Live More with Shared Lives, visit: Live More: growing Shared Lives for people living with dementia and their families.
