A Blackburn couple who became Shared Lives carers in their twenties say their experience has challenged the idea that care is only for older people — while helping a young man leaving foster care build an independent life.
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Jessie Edwards and Henry Wakes, both 27, were working full-time jobs, renovating their first home and caring for their animals when they decided to support Adam, a young man leaving foster care, through Shared Lives.
Henry said: “We never planned to become Shared Lives carers, but when the opportunity came up, we realised we had the skills to give it our best effort.
“People often assume carers are older, but we didn’t necessarily see it that way. We’d both recently lived in student halls, shared houses and with family, so living with other people felt very normal to us. Being closer in age to Adam also means we can sometimes relate to the decisions and challenges he faces as a young adult because we’ve been navigating many of them ourselves in recent years.”
Jessie and Henry already knew Adam through Henry’s mum, who had been his foster carer. When they realised he would soon need to move on, they decided to support him through Blackburn with Darwen Shared Lives rather than see him move in with someone unfamiliar.
Henry said: “We wanted to help someone we already cared about become a confident, independent adult who could take care of himself.”
More than a year later, Adam has developed greater confidence and independence while continuing to live as part of their household alongside the couple’s dogs, cats and rabbits.
Jessie added: “At first, we supported Adam with lots of everyday routines because he’d never really had the chance to learn those skills for himself.
“Now he cooks his own meals, manages much more independently and needs far less prompting day-to-day.”
The couple say one of the biggest surprises has been how naturally Shared Lives has fitted around their lives.
Henry said: “We’ve been able to continue our lives, work full-time jobs, care for multiple animals and renovate our home.
“Shared Lives has been really rewarding. When you see someone grow in confidence every day, knowing you’ve helped support that growth, it’s a great feeling.”
They also say the experience has helped them grow personally.
Henry said: “It’s developed our leadership, communication and empathy in ways we’ll carry with us through all areas of life.”
Their story is being shared ahead of Shared Lives Week 2026, which runs from 15 to 21 June under the theme: Shout about Shared Lives – care worth talking about.
Cllr Jackie Floyd, Executive Member for Adult Services, said: “Carers Week is a really important opportunity to recognise the difference carers make across Blackburn with Darwen, and Jessie and Henry are a fantastic example of that. They show that caring has no age limit, it’s about compassion, commitment and wanting to make a difference.
“What they’re doing as Shared Lives Carers at just 27 is genuinely inspiring. By opening up their home, they’re helping people to feel part of a family and their community.
“We’re really proud to have people like Jessie and Henry in our borough, and I’d like to thank them and all our carers for the care, commitment and kindness they show every day.”
There are currently 70 approved carers across 54 households in Blackburn with Darwen, supporting 51 people through the scheme.
The service says it offers person-centred support within local communities, helping people build confidence, develop skills and feel part of everyday family life.
Jessie said: “Whether you’re young, busy, working full-time or later in life, Shared Lives can fit around ordinary life if you have kindness and patience.”
Shared Lives carers receive a fee and ongoing support from their local scheme.
Jessie and Henry hope their story encourages more people to rethink who caring is for — and to “shout about Shared Lives”.
