Loneliness in later life – how can Homeshare help?
Earlier this year, at an “innovation in ageing” event, we met Emily Cutter who is the Homeshare UK Services Coordinator for the North East region.
Emily and her colleagues helped us to understand a little more about this innovation which can help to alleviate loneliness and provide more support to older people in their own homes.
What is Homeshare?
Homeshare enables two people to share a home for mutual benefit, for company and friendship. It enables a reassuring overnight presence and is a great way of living for anyone who needs a little extra help around the home with tasks like shopping, cooking, light cleaning, transport and more.
Typically, an older householder with a room to spare is carefully matched with a younger person who is happy to chat and lend a hand around the house in return for affordable, sociable accommodation. It enables older people to continue living at home for longer and helps younger people to gain independence, save money and live in a safe and comfortable home. There is no personal care involved, but a Homeshare can sit alongside a care package.
How can Homeshare help those involved?
Homeshare can benefit both the older person and the sharer they are matched with. It:
- Enables people to stay living independently at home for longer.
- Provides affordable accommodation at a time of record housing shortages and high rent.
- Gives both people’s families peace of mind knowing that their relatives have secure accommodation and companionship.
- Provides an older person with support and gives a younger person a great start in life, particularly at a time of such high living costs.
- Is a chance to make new friends, share skills and learn new ones.
Is it safe?
Naturally, safety concerns are a priority for everyone involved including the Homeshare UK network members. They set robust vetting processes which involve police checks, trial periods and references from family and friends. Matches are bespoke, are made very carefully based on personal interests and are monitored regularly. Homeshare co-ordinators also provide regular face-to-face contact to support both people involved.
Who could benefit from Homeshare?
Although anyone can benefit from a Homeshare arrangement, householders are typically older people. Most, but not all, have some need of low-level practical support to help them to continue to live independently in their own home.
The majority of current homesharers are aged between 26 and 49 and include young professionals (39%), postgraduate and mature students (29%), public sector workers and older professionals (21%) in need of affordable accommodation. In 2021 8% of homesharers were aged over 50 and a further 2% of homesharers over 60.
Homeshares can last any length of time, currently in the UK, the longest share has lasted for seven years.
Who operates Homeshare?
Local Homeshare organisations across the UK, who are part of the Homeshare UK network, deliver Homeshare and provide face-to-face support for their matches.
Homeshare is a tried and tested programme which currently operates in 19 countries across the world. The UK network is part of Shared Lives Plus a membership charity for more than 6,000 Shared Lives carers, 150 Shared Lives programmes, and a growing network of 25 Homeshare providers in the UK. Matches have been taking place in the UK since the 1980s but there has been more expansion over the last few years. It is currently available in England and Wales with plans to expand so that there is a dedicated, community based and local Homeshare provider in every area of the UK.
What does it cost?
No money changes hands in a Homeshare match. Instead, both parties pay a monthly fee to their local Homeshare organisation to cover the costs of their ongoing service, monitoring and support.
The costs vary depending on where in the country you are, but typically a householder will pay around £100 a month and a homesharer around £2-300 a month to the Homeshare organisation who make the match
The homesharer may also contribute towards utility bills. All bill contributions will be discussed at the start of a match and be reviewed regularly.
Want to know more?
The Homeshare UK website has a wealth of information and contact details.
If you contact Homeshare UK, you will be supplied with details of your local Homeshare provider who will then arrange an initial call to discuss your/ your family member’s needs and answer all your questions about the process.
