Householders are people who require some extra support at home so that they can continue to live independently.

The Homeshare service will find you a homesharer to live in your home and provide companionship, security and help with household tasks.

We select homesharers with a genuine interest in the care and welfare of people with support needs. In return for accommodation in your home, your homesharer can help with practical tasks such as cooking meals, light gardening, household cleaning, and shopping.

Most householders also value the friendship provided by their live-in companion and appreciate the added security of someone around in the evening, overnight and at weekends.

For more information on homesharers why not take a look at the Information for Homesharers page?

How Homeshare benefits you

• You receive practical help with household tasks
• You have the reassurance of someone in the house at night
• You have some extra companionship
• We tailor the service to you as an individual

The requirements

All you need is a suitable spare room and a willingness to share the use of your kitchen, bathroom and other areas of the home that the homesharer can reasonably expect to use.

How we set up your homeshare

• Once you have contacted us to let us know you are interested in the service we will visit you at home and find out your needs and preferences.
• We will find a homesharer specifically for you, using a rigorous interview and selection process.
• Once we are completely satisfied that the match will be suitable we will arrange an introduction between you and the proposed homesharer.
• If you don't think the proposed person is suitable we will find another candidate.
• Once we have found a suitable match you and the homesharer will both sign a Homeshare Agreement which sets out the expectations and rules of conduct for you both.
• You will also sign an agreement with us, setting out the terms and conditions and support you can expect to receive from us.

Ongoing support

Once we have set up a successful match we provide intensive support during the first month to check that everything is going smoothly. On the rare occasions where you are not satisfied with the arrangement we will find an alternative homesharer for you.

After the first month we still keep in regular contact both by phone and by visiting in person. We are always on hand to provide you with support and information.

If you have a social worker, or someone in your family is involved with helping you we can keep in contact with them as well.

If your homeshare comes to an end

If your homesharer leaves and you’d like to continue with the service we will work to find you another suitable match.