Date: 31/05/2017
For immediate release
A new scheme, which opens the door to
housing in exchange for help, has been launched by Age UK Isle of Wight.
Funded by the BIG Lottery, HomeShare offers a creative
solution to crucial challenges facing Islanders of all ages - finding and keeping
a home.
New to the Island, but widely tried and tested elsewhere,
HomeShare is a matchmaking service, designed to bring together householders who
have spare space and sharers trying to navigate costly and under-pressure
housing options.
HomeShare’s aims are twofold - prolonging independent living
in loved homes and known communities for householders aged 50+ and opening the
door to good quality and affordable housing options for sharers.
With thorough checking and careful matching, HomeShare
Co-ordinators broker a mutually
beneficial living arrangement centred on an exchange of accommodation for
practical help with everyday tasks. Sharers also contribute to living
costs.
Age UK Isle of
Wight’s two HomeShare Co-ordinators, Lorraine Lord and Diane Coppell are
working with health and social care colleagues and other Age UK projects, to
recruit and thoroughly screen householders and sharers . Their role is to guide
householders and sharers to arrive at a compatible, lasting and enjoyable
blueprint for living together. This takes account of practicalities,
personalities, lifestyle and routines.
“The potential of
HomeShare here on the Island is obvious and enormous”, said Diane. “Home sharing
could enable householders aged 50+ to
improve their quality of life by gaining help with everyday tasks
to free up leisure time. Equally, it could be that chores around the
home are becoming difficult, and that help from an extra pair of hands would
prolong independent living. It is important to note, though, that the home
sharer cannot provide personal care.
“At the same time, the home offered to a sharer in return
for help, can relieve some of the pressure on scarce housing by providing a
fresh housing option for people needing suitable homes.”
“Established schemes, elsewhere in the UK and overseas, have
shown that every home share is unique”, said Lorraine. “Sharing can, for
instance, suit key workers in health, emergency service and the public sector
roles; students on study placements; workers relocating to the Island and
wanting time to explore before putting down roots; active retired people who
enjoy sharing a home; or people starting over after a life change such as
divorce. More….
“It’s a win-win
arrangement for householder and home sharer. Besides the obvious practical
benefits, HomeShare has potential for friendships across the ages, peace of
mind, affordable accommodation within reasonable reach of work, and better
quality of life for both householder and sharer.
“Because of the careful preparation which goes in to
identifying and establishing a match, HomeShare doesn’t offer an overnight
solution. Obviously, it won’t suit everyone, but making contact with HomeShare
may make it possible to identify other more appropriate sources of help and
advice.”
Notes for Editors:
·
Age UK Isle of
Wight is an independent, local, registered charity, founded in 1973.
·
Age UKIW
Registered Charity Number: 1118711.
·
Age UKIW supports
over 11,000 Islanders every year to improve their quality of life.
·
We are a local
partner of Age UK, the UK’s leading independent charitable movement
concerned with the well-being of all older people.
·
For more
information on all of Age UK Isle of Wight’s services please visit: www.ageukiw.org.uk
