Homeshare enables two people to share a home for mutual benefit.

Typically, an older person who wants help to live independently in their own home (a householder) is matched with someone who has a housing need (a homesharer). In return for affordable accommodation, the homesharer provides around ten hours of support per week to the householder.

It’s a great option for older people who have a spare room and need a little bit of help around the house but want to stay in their own home.

What type of support is provided?

Homeshare provides a low-level support alternative to social and health services. A homesharer typically provides around ten hours of support each week which might include things like:

• Cooking.
• Cleaning/laundry.
• Shopping.
• Gardening.
• Walking the dog.
• Providing transport.
• Overnight security/Companionship.

The type of support offered is agreed between the householder and homesharer.

Homesharers do not provide any personal care, but a Homeshare can sit alongside domiciliary carers and other formal social care support services.

A kinder society

The Homeshare relationship is based on trust and friendship, allowing people to live well within their chosen communities.

People from different backgrounds, ethnicities and professions take part in Homeshare and report an increase in their wellbeing and mental health, as well as a reduction in loneliness and isolation.

Homeshare UK

Homeshare UK is the UK network for Homeshare providers. It’s part of Shared Lives Plus – the UK membership charity for more than 6,000 Shared Lives carers, 150 Shared Lives programmes, and a growing network of over 25 Homeshare providers.

The Homeshare UK badge means you can be sure of a professional and personal service with robust safeguarding checks and a rigorous face-to-face matching process that’s designed to give people a real choice of who they live with.

Matches are monitored throughout and there is support for both parties.

To find out more about how a Homeshare arrangement could support you or your elderly relative visit homeshareuk.org and use their map at https://homeshareuk.org/homeshare-areas-coverage-map/ to locate your nearest provider.