A SERVICE that helps adults with learning disabilities develop their independence is calling for kind-hearted people to become carers.

The Poole Shared Lives scheme is looking to recruit long term and respite carers for adults with learning disabilities as well as early stage dementia.

Every adult is different in their personality and needs.

Shared Lives carers and people who use the services come from all backgrounds and walks of life and the scheme ensures they are well matched.

The Shared Lives scheme enables people to achieve goals such as being in control of their services and their lives, pursuing ordinary lives within their chosen families and relationships and being valued by their communities and feeling like they belong.

The service is looking for people who can provide the vital role whether they are single, with a partner, any gender or sexual orientation, married, with or without children.

For more information go to the Borough of Poole website and look up Shared Lives, call 01202 633649 or email adultplacementscheme@poole.gov.uk.

Luke

Luke is 17 years old and has a very cheeky sense of humour so he needs a carer who would joke with him and not be embarrassed to be silly and laugh at his jokes.

He has a mild/moderate learning disability. His class teacher describes him as the most intellectually able child at school. Luke has a good understanding of verbal communication and is able to communicate his needs well through an app on his iPad but does need prompts and support to use his communication aid.

Luke would need a carer who is very loving and nurturing, someone to offer him a positive parenting experience. He would be better suited to a family where he is the only adult being supported.

Luke would need highly skilled carers, who are committed to supporting him to extend his cognitive ability and support him to become empowered to become more independent.

Luke enjoys to spend time with his carer and also time alone. He needs someone to show interest in him and promote his interests, which are modes of transport, who would feel confident to meet his health needs and be confident using peg feeding.

Luke enjoys having fun and likes dogs.

Tim

Tim is a 17-year-old who has a bubbly personality. He is generally happy, can be quite loud and loves to laugh, have fun and to socialise with peers and adults.

He is also a sensitive, gentle, kind and thoughtful young man. Tim loves to go out and about, and visit different places. He really enjoys eating out and going to different cafes and restaurants.

Tim enjoys spending time with people, and with groups of his peers. He loves everything to do with buses and really enjoys going out and about on buses. Tim also really enjoys listening to music, and making music, and watching different music films on YouTube.

He requires a carer that is able to meet all of his personal care needs, and somebody that has a ground floor bedroom and bathroom. The property will need to be wheelchair (power) friendly and accessible.

Jason

Jason is a 49-year-old man with a mild learning disability who has a friendly personality. He is generally happy and enjoys going to bingo and watching sport both live and on TV. In the past Jason has worked in a garden centre and with older people and gets on well with most people once he knows them. Jason enjoys some independence in his local area being able to go to the local shops on his own. Jason likes his food and particularly enjoys roast dinners.

Jason will need support to keep positive and needs someone who appreciates his need to keep to routines.

He requires a carer who can assist him with health and personal care routines including diabetes checks, epilepsy and monitoring of these conditions. Jason cannot manage stairs so needs level access facilities.