Swimarathon 2016

Devon-based charity Shared Lives South West has received a funding boost from Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club.

The club raised £1,250 for the charity after hosting a swimarathon at Quayside Leisure Centre, which saw hundreds of youngsters taking part and collecting sponsorship.

Shared Lives South West, which is based in Newton Abbot, supports about 500 vulnerable adults across Devon and Cornwall by matching them with a carer.

They then open the doors to their own homes, and the people who use SLSW services can live within the carers’ own family home for either long term or short breaks.

People with learning difficulties, mental health issues and those with illnesses relating to older people are helped and benefit by the Shared Lives South West scheme.

The cash from the club will be used to help fund events so carers and users of the scheme can get together.

“We are extremely grateful to Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club and to the young swimmers who raised the money,” said Jane Bell, CEO at Shared Lives South West.

Earlier this year, the charity received the Best Respite Care Service South Coast UK award at the 2017 Social Care Awards, organised by Global Health and Pharma magazine.

The celebration came hot on the heels of it winning the Great British Care Award Innovator of the Year award for the work it has done leading and championing a care model to support parents with a learning disability.