Sheik, Roumanah and Kirsty

Here’s a lovely story of inclusion, kindness and creativity from Hertfordshire Shared Lives as we continue to celebrate Shared Lives week.

Kirsty Stubbs moved in to live with Sheik and Roumanah Tafajoul’s family in February of this year. Kirsty has an acquired brain injury from an accident five years ago and had been in a Care Home ever since. Kerry Faulkner from Hertfordshire County Council Shared Lives writes about how they made the match made in the middle of the pandemic:

“Kirsty’s mother contacted me and was extremely keen for her daughter to be in Shared Lives. We had to be creative with matching as we couldn’t do any of the usual processes as this would mean Kirsty having to self-isolate in her room for two weeks if she even had a tea visit and the carers were not able to visit her due to the restrictions, so Sheik and Roumanah and their family Skyped her every week for months so they could get to know each other. Kirsty’s family met the Shared Lives family and worked with them to ensure a smooth transition. The room was adapted for Kirsty’s needs as she is partially blind, so they installed an ensuite shower room and an OT visited to install grab rails etc.

“Just after Kirsty moved in Sheik and Roumanah found out they were having another baby (which was a bit of a surprise for us all!) but we all worked together to ensure there was a contingency plan in place to allow continuity of care for Kirsty and the other gentleman they support in Shared Lives, with an additional ‘support carer’ approved alongside the one the family already had.”

Kirsty’s mum Joyce writes:

“The Shared Lives secret should be made widely known – amongst health and social services, charities and many more.  Since my adult daughter, a head injury survivor, moved to her wonderful new Shared Lives family in February 2021, she has been able to enjoy family meals, movie nights, helping the children with their spelling, listening to their bickering and simply being accepted and valued for the person she now is since her accident. Working with the family is a pleasure, most especially since the family has now expanded to include a new-born baby girl. Kind, caring families with appropriate experience and a suitable spare room are out there, as are countless adults with particular needs.  So please spread the word so that more people can be looked after by those who know how to care.”