Bringing Homeshare to the Island – a safer, more connected way to live
Homeshare brings together an older Island resident who would value company and support at home with a carefully vetted Sharer looking for affordable accommodation. In return for a place to live, the Sharer provides ten hours of companionship and practical help each week – from cooking and shopping to sharing meals and being there overnight.
Homeshare is not personal or medical care. It offers the everyday support and reassurance that can help someone feel safer, less alone and more confident living independently in the home they love.
With support from Isle of Wight Council, Two Generations has brought Homeshare to the Island for the first time. Two Generations manages every stage of the process, including matching, safeguarding checks and ongoing support throughout each Homeshare.
Homeshare Nationally
We’ve been matching Homeshares across the UK since 2018, and the people and communities on the Isle of Wight can now also benefit.
120+successful Homeshares matched since 2019
97%of Householders say their challenges eased within a few months
1,000+Sharers on our database across the UK
Coverage on BBC, ITV and Sky
What Homeshare means for the Isle of Wight
FOR OLDER PEOPLE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT & COMPANY
If you have a spare room, Homeshare can help you feel safer, more connected and better supported at home. Your Homesharer provides company, overnight reassurance and a little practical help, while our team manages the match and supports you throughout.
- Regular company and a familiar presence at home
- Reassurance that someone is there overnight
- 10 hours of support with everyday tasks such as shopping, cooking or basic IT
- A carefully selected Sharer, with Enhanced DBS checks and references
- You choose your match, with no pressure and a trial period
There is no fee until we find your match. The Householder fee is then £150 a month, with bursaries available where cost would otherwise be a barrier.
FOR SHARERS
Homeshare offers an affordable place to live on the Isle of Wight, together with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to someone’s life. In return, you provide around 10 hours of practical help and companionship each week and a regular overnight presence.
- Affordable accommodation from £349 a month
- A private room in a welcoming home
- A carefully considered match based on compatibility
- Ongoing guidance and support throughout the arrangement
Sharers must have the right to live in the UK and provide two references. Most Homeshares work best with a commitment of around 12 months.
FOR FAMILIES
If you are supporting a parent or relative who lives alone, Homeshare can provide extra reassurance while helping them remain independent at home. It may be particularly helpful if they feel anxious overnight, have mobility difficulties or mild memory problems, or would simply benefit from more regular company.
- A familiar person at home during the evenings and overnight
- Companionship and light help with everyday tasks such as cooking, errands and lifts
- A carefully matched Sharer with an Enhanced DBS check and verified references
Homeshare eases some of the pressure on families, particularly when they are balancing work and caring responsibilities or do not live nearby.
For Isle of Wight Community Partners
We work with social prescribers, GPs, Primary Care Networks, charities and community organisations to connect people who could benefit from Homeshare. Together, we can help older people remain independent at home, combat loneliness, build meaningful multigenerational connections and improve community wellbeing. If you support someone who may benefit from Homeshare and would like to explore working with us, we’d love to hear from you.
Take a look at our current opportunity
Seaview, Isle of Wight Homeshare Room – Affordable Accommodation in Seaview, Isle of Wight
"We are delighted to support Two Generations in bringing the Homeshare model to the Isle of Wight. Many older residents want to remain in the homes they love but would benefit from a little extra support or company. Homeshare offers a safe, reassuring and community-minded solution"
Laura Gaudion, Director of Adult Social Care and Housing, Isle of Wight Council
What our Homeshares say
Read every testimonial →
“Having a sharer has made me feel safe..... If I didn’t have Dela I wouldn’t be able to stay in this house. We both care about each other and we both joke with each other, we chat together, it’s just so natural.”
Sheila, Householder, Bournemouth
“I was considering selling my house to go and live in a block of apartments. But what I really wanted was to stay in my own home. Rick has been generous with his time cooking, gardening and helping with my computer.”
Gretta, Householder, Hampshire
“Home sharing really helps with affordability in London. It has also been a great experience to learn from the older generation and hear about how life has changed so greatly over the years.”
Joshua, Homesharer, Fulham
“It’s made a big difference to my life knowing Dad is looked after by someone who likes him and is good with him. It’s taken so much of the worry away.”
Anna, Family member, Salisbury
“We have great chats over dinner and I feel I can ask Rita to help with anything.”
June, Householder, London
Get in touch about Homeshare on the Isle of Wight
If you’d like to know more about Homeshare, or just want to talk it through, we’d be delighted to hear from you using the details below.
contact@twogenerations.co.uk
03333 44 77 38
Homeshare FAQs
What help does a Sharer provide?
Along with overnight company, 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 both people can meet as many times as needed before deciding. There is no pressure to proceed, and an overnight stay can be arranged before the one month trial period begins.
Every Sharer completes structured interviews, an Enhanced DBS check, verified references and a suitability assessment. We also carry out a home and suitability assessment with the Householder. Both parties sign a clear written agreement, and our qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead oversees safeguarding. Regular check-ins and ongoing monitoring continue throughout the Homeshare.
How much does Homeshare cost?
Householders pay £150 a month once a match begins, with no fee while we search. This includes ongoing support from Two Generations and pre-agreed 40 hours a month of practical support.Bursaries are available where cost is a barrier. Sharer fees start from £349 a month. Fees cover matching, safeguarding, and ongoing support.
Who is Homeshare suitable for?
Homeshare may be suitable for an older person with a spare room who wants to remain independent 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.
A family member can make the initial enquiry and, with the Householder’s agreement, remain involved throughout.
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. 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.
Where is Homeshare available on the Isle of Wight?
Two Generations offers Homeshare across the Isle of Wight, including Newport, Ryde, Cowes, East Cowes, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Freshwater, Yarmouth and surrounding villages.
We welcome enquiries from Householders, families, potential Sharers and local professionals anywhere on the Island. We have been established since 2018 and offer a UK-wide scheme across the UK, creating over 120 succesful homeshares.
How long does a Homeshare last, and what happens when it ends?
We ask both people to commit to the Homeshare for around 12 months, although many arrangements continue for longer. There is a one-month trial period at the beginning 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. Their account manager will support both parties throughout the process and help the arrangement end smoothly and respectfully.
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