A nationally-recognised shared lives carer is retiring after fifty years of caring for people.
Trish Marsland has retired from her role as a Shared Lives carer after looking after someone with a rare disorder since they were 17 months old, and whose life expectancy was just 10.
After turning 18 years old, Trish became a Shared Lives carer to enable him to remain with her. He is now 40 years old which is a glowing testament to Trish’s skills and care.
After starting out as a foster carer aged 22 and fostering nearly 300 children for Leicestershire County Council before retiring from fostering in 2019, Trish wants to share her own positive experience and encourage more people to become Shared Lives carers before she and her husband take off to enjoy a well-earned rest.
When asked for her advice for anyone thinking of becoming a shared lives carer Trish said: “Make sure you know what you are doing! It won’t always be easy, but it is well worth doing.
“It can be hard work and not an easy ride. Be prepared to advocate for people that can’t do it for themselves. Think about it, find out as much as you can about the role and then GO FOR IT! It’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.”
Shared Lives carers are self-employed and provide services in their own homes, so have the flexibility to carry on working in an existing job, and are able to work from home or stay at home to raise their children.
Trish was recognised earlier this year on ITV’s Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Take Away for her incredible work, receiving a holiday courtesy of TUI, which she’ll enjoy next February on a cruise in the Dominican Republic.
“Our Shared Lives’ carers are invaluable. Their skill and dedication makes such a difference to the adults with care and support needs they look after, enabling them to become a part of their local communities and helping them live their lives to the full.
“Trish has made an enormous difference to so many people’s lives, including the gentleman she has cared for over a forty-year period. I hope she enjoys her long and happy retirement.”
Person:Jon Wilson, Director of adults and communities
The council’s Shared Lives team has fully supported C and Trish during what has been an emotional time for them both, and C is now settled in his new home.
To find out more about becoming a shared lives carer contact the county council team on sharedlives@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 8133 or visit the Shared Lives Carer page.