DUDLEY Council's Shared Lives scheme has been given the backing of Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris.

Mr Morris, member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Mental Health, visited Camphill Village Trust (CVT) last month.

The Stourbridge-based charity provides foster care for vulnerable and disabled adults across the borough.

Carers offer long-term and respite care as well as providing day opportunities where workshops are available.

Mr Morris said: "I’m really interested to see what the Shared Lives model can offer people across the Black Country, who need that personalised support to remain in the community, rather than be admitted to or are ready to be discharged from residential or hospital care.

"CVT Shared Lives are ambitious in their plans to offer the service to anyone over the age of 18 years old and with a multitude of care needs. I wish them the best of luck in developing the scheme and I’ll be sure to invite them to several future events."

There are 11 Shared Lives Schemes operating across the West Midlands.

Registered manager, Kate Morgan, said: "Although we have successfully recruited six new sets of Carers over the last nine months, we are constantly in the process of recruiting new Shared Lives Carers to the new Scheme."

To find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer visit www.cvt.org.uk/sharedlives or call 01384 597264.