SWAPS is a registered charity and was established in 2004 to provide shared lives services (formerly known as adult placement services) in Devon, Torbay, Plymouth and Cornwall.  SWAPS recruits, trains and supports people to provide accommodation and care for vulnerable adults in their home. SWAPS is registered with the Care Quality Commission (formerly CSCI) under the terms of an adult placement scheme and SWAPS is an active member of NAAPS UK Ltd, the umbrella body for Shared Lives Services.

In 2009 SWAPS was commissioned by Torbay Care Trust to develop a new Short Break Service in Torbay for older people and/or older people with dementia and/or mental health problems. The aim of the service is to provide a high quality alternative to supported living or residential care, through tailored short breaks to meet individual needs. The service enables carers to take a break from their caring role, confident that their relative is receiving the support they need in a local family setting. 

The service is now up and running, with fully trained Shared Lives providers available to provide Short Breaks from one overnight stay, up to 28 days and a flexible service of up to 8 hours. If you would like to find out more about the Torbay Older Peoples Project please contact Natalie Townsend or Jo Jackson on 01626 360170 or email torbayolderpeople@swaps.org.uk

If you have a service user who is interested in any of the shared lives arrangements listed in our latest Bulletin here, please contact Natalie Townsend or Jo Jackson for an informal chat - 01626 360170 / 07966720184 - Torbayolderpeople@swaps.org.uk

The ‘Service Request Form’ is available to download from our website www.swaps.org.uk