What is Homeshare?
Homeshare brings together an older person who has a spare room (a Householder) and a carefully vetted younger person (a Homesharer) who is looking for an affordable place to live. The homesharer is there in the evenings and overnight, and gives around ten hours a week of companionship and practical help, so the householder can stay independent in the home they love with a friendly face around.
We have been matching Homeshares across the UK since 2018, and we manage every stage for you, from matching and safety checks to support for as long as the Homeshare lasts.
Homeshare at a glance
- No fee until we find a match, then £150 a month
- Bursaries available where cost would otherwise be a barrier
- Evening and overnight company from someone who lives in your home
- Around 10 hours a week of practical help, such as cooking, shopping or lifts to appointments
- Every homesharer is interviewed, referenced and Enhanced DBS checked
- Meet as many times as you like, with an overnight stay and a one-month trial
- A dedicated account manager supporting you throughout the whole homeshare
- Companionship and light practical help, not personal or medical care
Prefer to talk to us?
Call us on 0333 344 7738
“Two Generations helped my mother as dementia slowly took hold. I remain grateful for the peace of mind they gave me and the comfort and fun that my mother had with her homesharer.”
Son of Jonquil, Householder, Leamington Spa
Jonquil 87 was living with Dementia, she and her family wanted the reassurance of an overnight presence, and loved the idea of bringing a younger person into her home. We matched her with Sarah, 27 who worked as a counsellor for Mind. She would encourage Jonquil to spend time outside in the garden and they even tried some yoga together!
Who is Homeshare suitable for?
Homeshare usually suits an older person with a spare room who wants to stay in their own home and would benefit from a familiar presence and a little help. It can be a good fit for someone who:
- Lives alone and would value regular company and someone there overnight
- Is finding everyday tasks such as cooking or shopping more tiring, perhaps because of mobility issues
- Has mild memory problems or early-stage dementia, where a family member holds Power of Attorney and stays involved
- Has family who support them but can’t always be there
Homeshare is companionship and light practical help, not personal or medical care, so it isn’t the right choice where someone mainly needs a carer. It can work well alongside existing care, and if needs change we can refer onwards to the right support.
Who are the homesharers?
Our homesharers are carefully vetted adults who want an affordable place to live and enjoy the company of an older person. They include students, working professionals, keyworkers and people who have retired, from their twenties to their sixties. With more than 1,000 registered homesharers across the UK, we can take the time to find the right person rather than the first available.
Every homesharer:
- Is at least 21 and has the right to live in the UK
- Completes an in-depth application, phone and video interviews and two verified references
- Has an Enhanced DBS check and ID checks before any match, renewed every three years for long-term homesharers
- Commits to 10 hours of light practical help a week, such as shopping, doing errands, cooking, giving lifts, companionship,
Homesharers we’ve matched include Sarah, 27, a counsellor for Mind, Carlos, 43, an art therapist, and Tracey, 62, who works part-time locally.
How does it work?
It’s very simple – you fill in a form, and we’ll guide you through the rest.
Apply
Fill in our short online form, or simply call or email us. We’ll take it from there.
Interview
One of our experienced team members will take the time to get to know you properly. We listen carefully to your needs, your personality, your daily routine, and what would make the right match for you.
Matching
Using our award-winning matching technology alongside our team’s professional judgement, we search for homesharers who are genuinely suited to you, not just available. We send you profiles to review, and you’re involved in the selection from the start.
Introduction
We arrange for you to meet your potential match by phone, Zoom, and in person, with no pressure to commit. If you’d like to meet again before deciding, that’s absolutely fine. We also offer a trial overnight stay so you can both settle in naturally before anything is formalised.
Checks & agreement
Before anything is agreed, we complete all of the homesharer’s checks, including Enhanced DBS checks and references, and carry out a home and suitability assessment with you. You both then sign a clear written agreement, and our Designated Safeguarding Lead, a qualified social worker, oversees safeguarding for as long as the Homeshare runs. Read how we keep Homeshare safe.
Ongoing support
We don’t disappear once the match is made. We provide ongoing support for both parties throughout the entire homeshare, and step in if anything needs attention.
Prefer to talk to us? Call us on 0333 344 7738
Supporting a parent who lives alone?
If your mum or dad lives alone, it’s natural to worry about them, especially at night or if you live some distance away. Homeshare means someone friendly is there in the evenings and overnight, while your parent stays independent in their own home.
It can also ease the pressure when you’re balancing work with caring for a parent.
Keeping you involved
- You can make the first enquiry on your parent’s behalf
- With your parent’s agreement, you can stay involved throughout
- There’s a one-month trial period at the start
- Either person can end the Homeshare with one month’s notice if circumstances change
Helpful reading for families
Not sure whether your parent needs a companion or a carer? Read our guide to Homeshare or live-in care.
Worried that Mum or Dad is becoming isolated? These are the quiet signs to look out for.
Prefer to talk to us?
Call us on 0333 344 7738
“Having a Homesharer is absolutely wonderful, getting to know each other and becoming friends, knowing someone is here overnight is such a huge relief”
Lilias, Householder, Perth
Lilias, 90 lives in Perth and we have had the pleasure of finding her several homesharers over the years, including Nicola and Stephen. Lilias wanted an overnight presence and someone to help with cooking and walking her dog. She has kept in touch with all of her sharers and loves having a sharer in her home.
Prefer to talk to us?
Call us on 0333 344 7738
“We've seen a huge difference in her confidence. She is definitely no longer lonely, they make a great team!”
Daughter of Lynn, Householder, Richmond
Lynn is 75 and lives with dementia. We matched her with Carlos, 43 who has experience working with vulnerable people as an art therapist. Carlos has helped to build up Lynn’s confidence so that she can now feel comfortable to go out for walks together and enjoy each other’s company.
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Homeshare FAQs
What help does a homesharer provide?
Along with overnight company, the support is agreed together and includes ten hours a week of companionship and practical help, such as cooking, shopping, light household tasks, lifts to appointments, playing board games or basic IT support.
How are people matched and kept safe?
Your dedicated account manager gets to know each person through separate conversations and assessments, including their routines, interests, expectations and support needs. Potential matches are selected based on compatibility and safety, and you can meet as many times as you need before deciding. There is no pressure to go ahead, and an overnight stay can be arranged before the one-month trial period begins.
Every homesharer completes structured interviews, an Enhanced DBS check, verified references and a suitability assessment, and we also carry out a home and suitability assessment with the householder. Both people sign a clear written agreement, our qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead oversees safeguarding, and regular check-ins continue throughout the Homeshare.
How much does Homeshare cost?
There is no fee while we search for a match. Once your Homeshare begins, householders pay £150 a month, which includes ongoing support from Two Generations and 40 hours a month of pre-agreed practical help.
Household bills are agreed as part of the written agreement and are separate from our fees. We also have a bursary scheme where cost would otherwise be a barrier, so please call us to talk it through in confidence.
Who is Homeshare suitable for?
Homeshare may suit an older person with a spare room who wants to stay independent at home but would benefit from:
- Regular companionship and an overnight presence at home
- Light help with cooking, shopping or household tasks
- Support because mobility issues make everyday tasks more tiring
- Extra reassurance due to mild memory problems or early-stage dementia
- Support when family members or carers live further away or cannot always be there
Homeshare is most appropriate where the main needs are companionship and light practical help, rather than personal, medical or nursing care.
Can I enquire on behalf of my mum or dad?
Yes. A family member can make the first enquiry and, with your parent's agreement, stay involved throughout the Homeshare.
Does Homeshare support people living with dementia?
We can support some people with mild memory problems or early-stage dementia, provided Homeshare remains safe and appropriate for their needs and suitable Power of Attorney arrangements are in place. We consider every situation individually, including the person's support needs, home environment and ability to take part in the arrangement, and family members are involved throughout.
Homesharers do not provide personal, medical or specialist dementia care, but Homeshare can work alongside existing family and professional support.
How long does a Homeshare last, and what happens when it ends?
We ask both people to commit for around 12 months, although many Homeshares continue for longer. There is a one-month trial period at the start to make sure the match works well for everyone.
Circumstances can change, so either person can end the Homeshare by giving one month's notice, and your account manager will support you both so that it ends smoothly and respectfully.
Where is Homeshare available?
We arrange Homeshares across the UK. Get in touch to talk about where your parent lives, or call us on 0333 344 7738.
Talk to us about your mum or dad
Every family’s situation is different. Start an enquiry online or call us on 0333 344 7738, and we’ll talk it through with you.
