LC, Sharer in Rugby
(November 2014)
Sorry to only just get in touch now, I know I had said I would put something together about my experience sharing with V. I've been thinking about it a lot this last week or so, and it's so hard for me to put into words how happy I've been here over the last 15 months and how well the arrangement has worked for me (and I hope, for V). I've heard people saying that "everything happens for a reason", but could never really have placed that within my own life until now. Share & Care and V came along just at the right time for me and looking back I am so pleased I made the decision to apply.
Before I moved in I was conscious that it would be difficult for V to share her home with someone. I was worried she might resent having me there. (I knew that she needed someone to be with her, and that her children were arranging it for her, but still thought the last thing she would have wanted was to have a 20-something year old girl in her long-time family home.) I was a bit worried about not feeling comfortable in the house around her if I felt like she didn't want me there. That was until I met her. V immediately put me at ease and never once made me feel like she resented me being there; the polar opposite in fact. She thanked me regularly and was openly grateful for the smallest of actions. She made me feel so, so welcome. I have felt so at home here and honestly believe this past year or so has been the happiest of my life. All that was down to V and the sort of person she was. She was so generous, funny, kind and really took an interest in me and my life. She was a real "encourager" of others and I feel so privileged to have been part of her life and to have watched her and the way she was with people- not only her family and friends, but everyone she met - she really knew how to address people and really cared for everyone- from her own grandchildren, to a waitress in a restaurant, to someone on the news. I've learned so much living here with V and I know she will stay with me forever. Her not being around anymore will leave a huge gap in my life.
Thank-you both for the time you have invested in making sure everything was running smoothly for V and I. I love the idea of what Share & Care does and can't emphasise enough how well it has worked for me. I will (and already have) happily and openly recommended what Share & Care offers to anyone considering getting involved in any schemes like these. I only hope I see more of these coming up over the next few years and across the UK and hope that anyone involved can meet someone as wonderful as V.
Thank-you again and I wish Share & Care all the best for its' future, and yourselves for your futures too.
November 2014