A TEIGNBRIDGE-based charity which supports adults with care and support needs has celebrated its 20th anniversary this month.

Shared Lives South West, which is based in Zealley House in Kingsteignton, matches the person with support needs with one of its approved and trained carers.

The charity specialises in supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, mental ill health, dementia and older people. 

Those who use its services live or have a break in the home of one of its trained carers.

The care model is likened to adult fostering with the main focus on maintaining and promoting the person’s independence.

The organisation, which is currently rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, operates across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

More than 280 Shared Lives Carers support 450 people through the scheme, overseen by a staff team of more than 40 Shared Lives staff.

SLSW CEO Dominic Spayne said: ‘This anniversary marks a significant milestone for us, and we're thrilled to celebrate it throughout the year.

‘We have exciting meet-ups lined up for Shared Lives Week in June, bringing together households, staff and the broader Shared Lives community.

‘Our journey has seen remarkable growth and we have evolved to include more services and counties and collaborate closely with local authorities to deliver high quality, person-centered services.

‘Our driving force is to create meaningful, positive impacts on the lives of those we support, a commitment we uphold each and every day.’