Meet Helen and Mark Simpson - a couple who welcomed a stranger needing extra support into their family home.

Helen and Mark, from Skelmanthorpe, are shared lives carers for Kirklees Council, and, along with their five children, care for Lisa, 36, who has a disability.

The couple decided to share their home and become full-time shared lives carers nearly two years ago, when they were matched with Lisa.

They said becoming carers was very much a family decision.

Mark said: “Being brutally honest we were very concerned about the dynamics of all the little relationships in our home when Lisa moved in.

“Although we’d all collectively made the decision to be shared lives carers ‘as a family’, we were desperate for it all to go smoothly for everyone. It did, and still does.

“The Kirklees Shared Lives team are obviously extremely skilled to have matched Lisa to our family. It works really well.”

Helen said: “We’re busy parents, juggling work, home, children, and all that comes with it, as do many other people.

“But choosing to be a shared lives carer meant that I could stay at home with the children and support Lisa.

“We’re really pleased that our children have this experience to help and support people like Lisa.

“We think it’s helping to make our children into brilliant caring adults and they’re developing important skills.”

The council is looking for more people to take on the challenge of becoming a shared lives carer.

Carers provide adults with a disability the opportunity to stay in their home and become part of their family.

Placements could be anything from a weekend or a couple of weeks to a full time arrangement.

A Kirklees Council spokeswoman said: “The Shared Lives scheme gives adults with additional needs new experiences and opportunities, as well as the opportunity to gain more independence for the future.

“Experienced staff ensure that suitable matches are made between carers and those needing care, so that the experience is a positive one for everyone involved.

“Being a Shared Lives carer is incredibly rewarding and no experience is necessary – you just need to care. The team behind the unique scheme are encouraging people to open up their homes and make a positive difference to other people’s lives.

“Shared lives carers are paid an allowance for the care they provide and full training is provided.”

Drop in events about the scheme are taking place Huddersfield Central Library on Saturday September 3 from 9.30am, or at Dewsbury Market on Saturday September 10 from 9.30am.

Or visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/sharedlivesenquiry for more.