Adult placement scheme offers something for everyone (From Western Telegraph)

Adult placement scheme offers something for everyone

2:50pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in News

The Andrews family – mum, dad and two teenage children – are among more than 100 in west Wales who are providing an extra-ordinary service within their ordinary lives.

Their home at Manorbier is also very much home to 57-year-old David, one of many vulnerable adults who are supported through an innovative scheme that is proving a great success.

Adult Placement in West Wales is jointly funded by Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion County Councils and works to match adults who need extra help in life with people who can provide just that.

The scheme’s name of Shared Lives sums up the views of David, and his placement carers, Caroline and Marty Andrews.

David, originally from the Cresselly area, came to stay with the family last year when his mother was taken ill and subsequently died.

He said: “I’ve settled in fine. There’s always something going on, and we all get on great here.”

“We all do our own things in the day and then we get together in the evening for a meal, and in the evening I read the papers and like to watch quizzes.”

David’s days are packed – from cycling out in the morning to get the daily paper, to working on outdoor projects at Scolton Manor and Warren and helping out at Fiveways Garage in Tenby with the support of the town’s Avenue Centre.

His passion for gardening, and his large collection of machinery and tools have also found a welcome and he is now able to go out and about tending to neighbours’ gardens.

Caroline said: “David has become very much part of the family, and we can’t think of anything not to enjoy about having him living here. It really is a twoway process – everyone takes an interest in what the other does, and David really is a pleasure.”

The family’s adult placement officer, Deborah Kerrigan, added: “David has become part of this family, and part of the community, and he’s such a great example of how the scheme can work out so well.”

To find out more contact 01267 224200 or visit www.westwaps.org.uk.