We match together older Homeowners, typically over 70, who would benefit from some practical support and company at home, and have a spare room, with younger, carefully vetted Sharers (aged 23-55) who live in and provide around 10 hours of support and companionship each week.
As a social enterprise, we aim to benefit both sectors of the community - the older generation who are often lonely and also want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, and the younger generation of professionals, key workers and mature students who need affordable accommodation to be able to work, live and save.
The support from the matched Sharer can include a variety of things and is tailored to meet the Homeowner's needs and requirements, and we also match them so far as possible based on mutual interests and preferences. Support may include for example:
So, in each match that we make, there are two main beneficiaries, the older person (sometimes a couple), and the younger person, but also we believe that the family of the older relative are also beneficiaries as the arrangement provides enormous peace of mind to the family members knowing that mum or dad is not alone at night.
The many benefits to the homeowner include:
- companionship and daily conversation
-more independence
-security at night
-friendship and a renewal of interests and hobbies
-support around the house and with grocery shopping, collecting prescriptions etc
For the Sharer the benefits include:
-affordable accommodation in a safe, quiet environment
-the opportunity to save money whilst living within easy commute to work or college
-the opportunity to acquire new life skills
- a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
Our Sharers, who are kind and mature, are not tenants, but homesharers, living in the home with permission under an agreement that we prepare with them, with a trial period, and a notice provision. We stay on board and continually check in throughout the Homeshare to make sure everyone is happy.
Our main activities are finding the Householders who would benefit from our service, vetting them and the property, marketing, finding, interviewing and thoroughly vetting potential Sharers, making the matches which involves a number of meetings, and preparing a Homeshare Agreement to record the terms and expectations on the parties. Once the match is made, we are on board throughout the homeshare to manage and resolve any issues which may arise.
