Connecting Lives

Connecting Lives is a range of services that helps adults with care and support needs. It provides you with a foundation to live more independently. 

Connecting Lives helps people from 16 years onwards with a wide range of support needs. This includes:

• learning disabilities
• physical disabilities
• mental ill health
• autism and dementia
• older people
• young adults in transition

Connecting Lives provides assistance through self-employed professional carers and support workers. They have relevant life experience and training and are committed to helping people to live more independently. Connecting Lives carers and support workers come from all family types and all walks of life. 

Connecting Lives manages two different services:

Shared Lives service

The Shared Lives service provides support for people in the carer’s home. They provide a range of placements such as

• day support - for a few hours, a day but not overnight
• short breaks - support from one night to a few weeks 
• long term - living long term with a carer

Outreach service

The Outreach service provides support for people in their own home and in the community. They provide a range of placements such as 

• support work
• sitting service – enables their family carer to have a break

If you are interested in any of the Connecting Lives services, or would like to find a job in care or support, please contact us via email or phone, or visit our Connecting Lives Jobs page.  

Shared Lives is for people who need support and who want to receive their support in a family home. They can stay for a day, stay for a short break, or stay long term. In the service, you are matched with the same carer or support worker. This offers consistency and the opportunity to build a positive relationship with the same person. 

Services available:

• long term – where the person lives full time in the Shared Lives carer’s home. 
• short breaks/respite – The person will stay at the Shared Lives carer’s home for short breaks.  This can be overnight, a weekend or 1-2 weeks at a time. 
• day support – The person would be with the Shared Lives carers in the daytime but not stay overnight. 

The Outreach Service 

The Outreach services support people in their own home or community to help them live more independently. A Connecting Lives carer or support worker can provide help a few hours a week. 

Day support 

The day support service is for people who live independently or with their family. They may need extra help and support to achieve their goals. The person is matched with a Connecting Lives carer or support worker. They will work to build a supportive relationship to help the person build their confidence and try new activities.  

Sitting service 

The sitting service enables a family carer to have a break. A Connecting Lives carer or support worker can support the person with care needs in their own home.  

Sitting services usually last for a few hours. 

If you have eligible needs, North Somerset Council Adult social care can commission services for you. This could include a Connecting Lives service.  

To find out if you have eligible needs please visit our dedicated webpage.