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Five years ago, Emma Jenkins helped launch a pioneering scheme supporting people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Now, her work has seen her nominated for a national award.
Emma, 44, from Bargoed, helped start the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme, for which she works as a mental health crisis manager.
What is the Shared Lives Scheme?
Shared Lives is an award winning scheme that offers individuals the opportunity to be supported in carer’s homes and local communities. In a Shared Lives arrangement an adult who has care or support needs is matched with a compatible carer. Carers share their home, family and community life with the person, helping to develop and maintain independent living skills, friendships and connections in their local area.
Shared Lives carers are carefully recruited, assessed, trained and supported by the scheme. Our carers come from all walks of life and choose to care for a wide variety of reasons. They are united through their enthusiasm, commitment, and positive motivation to make a real difference in people’s lives. The flexibility of Shared Lives means that carers can provide support for lots of different people in a wide range of situations.
The Scheme facilitates arrangements across Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynnon Taff and Torfaen.
The scheme, which is backed by both Caerphilly County Borough Council and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, is the only project of its kind in Wales.
Emma has been nominated for this year’s Wales Care Awards, where she is shortlisted in the Leadership and Management in Supported Living category.
The awards, organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, aim to recognise the outstanding work of those in the care sector.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday October 18, hosted by radio and television presenter Jason Mohammad.
Emma was nominated by the scheme’s manager Rosemary Brown, who described her as a “natural leader”.
“Emma is worthy of this prestigious award due to her compassion and ability to think creatively in order to deliver an outstanding service,” said Rosemary.
Emma is passionate about developing the service and regularly gives presentations to other local authorities across the UK and worldwide as part of the Mental Health Nursing Organisation.
There are 300 care families currently registered with the scheme who share their homes and help those in crisis within a family setting, but demand has grown since the Covid pandemic and lockdown.
“It can be challenging at times and one has to be creative, but it is extremely rewarding and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Emma, who switched to the social care sector after gaining a law degree and being involved with the justice system.
Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.”
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