[London Live-in Service]
OFFERING A BESPOKE HOME SUPPORT SERVICE
Share & Care Homeshare is an affordable, live-in, low cost service which offers practical help, reassurance and companionship to Homeowners. Having a Sharer helps combat loneliness and gives the Homeowner an agreed level of practical help and support in and around the house, plus friendly companionship – usuallyover four evenings each week and a few hours at weekends. Their Sharer agrees to live-in at least five nights per week. This Homeshare service can sit alongside other care packages if required.
Who our service helps: Share & Care specialises in introducing live-in Sharers to Homeowners. The Homeowners are normally widows, widowers or elderly couples who would appreciate some practical help and companionship in their own home at an affordable cost. The service is also suitable for anyone else who may benefit from some practical help and companionship, for example because they are disabled, or they or their partner is suffering from Dementia, Parkinson’s or another long-term illness. Homeshare is beneficial to all individuals who wish to maintain their independence and continue living in their own home, but need a little practical help and company in order to do this. Share & Care is a very low cost option of having this help, priced at £4-£6 per day.
How it works:Based on the idea of exchange, the Homeowner offers a bedroom and the use of their home’s facilities to the Sharer (the person who lives with them) in return for around 10 hours a week of practical help and support which is normally spread out over the week. The Homeowner’s property becomes the Sharer’s home for the duration of the agreement. In return for this, the Sharer agrees to sleep in the house for at least five nights a week – although it is their home for all seven nights and they may sleep there all week.
Example of a Typical Share & Care Arrangement:
- The Sharer provides 10 hours of practical help each week. These duties may include:
Shopping
Cooking simple meals
Light cleaning
Light gardening
Accompanying to doctor, dentist, social events, shopping trips etc if their availability permits
Please note:The Sharer is not permitted to give any personal or nursing care to the elderly person they live with. It is possible, however, for a Homeowner to have a care package through a local care agency to sit alongside the homeshare.
- The Sharer also gives the Homeowner companionship,[our guideline for the additional companionship is around 5 hours per week] which may include:
Eating some meals together
Watching television together or chatting
Or simply reading/studying and being in the home
The Sharer will also spend at least five nights a week sleeping in the house [except when pre-agreed with the Homeowner, and for holidays]. And spend four evenings in the home
.
Please note that a Homeowner may lose the single person discount on their Council Tax if the Sharer is not a full-time student. However, it is worth approaching their Council to ask whether their Sharer may be exempted as they are not remunerated for the help and support they give. Alternatively a Homeowner may be able to apply for a Second Adult Rebate on their Council Tax.
Why it works: By putting two people together who have common interests, homesharing can give Homeowners the help, support and security they need. At the same time, homesharing offers Sharers a place to call home. Share & Care’s homeshare scheme can help to combat any loneliness and/or isolation that either party may feel. It is also has been shown to benefit their families and communities too. Share & Care pays great attention to the personalities of the Homeowners who are looking for help, and works hard in a professional yet friendly manner to find Sharers who have similar interests so that genuine friendships can develop.
Where it works:Share & Care offersa service across the whole of the UK. In locations outside major cities or large towns, it may take longer to find the right Sharer and in some rural locations it may not be possible to find a suitable Sharer at all. We DO NOT charge anything until we have found a potential Sharer that the Homeowner likes and has invited tosharetheir home.
What type of people become Sharers: The Sharer, who will usually be 24 years old or over, continues his/her regular job or studies during the day. Our Sharers come from a wide range of backgrounds – some have jobs in areas such as health, social services or education; others are students doing a Masters or PhD; and some work in completely different fields from museum curating to opera singing! They all have one thing in common – afriendly and caring nature– andare people who would welcome the opportunity of affordable accommodation and making a new friend.
Choosing your Sharer: When matching a Homeowner with a Sharer, Share & Care starts by finding out as much as possible about the Homeowner. We normally interview potential Sharers face-to-face [or occasionally by Skype] to ensure that they have suitable character and experience. Share & Care then checks their ID and documentation and applies for a DBS check [Disclosure Barring Service]. We also personally contact a minimum of two referees. When introducing a potential Sharer, firstly Share & Care provides the Homeowner with a written synopsis, including references, of the applicant. The next step is for the Homeowner to meet the potential Sharer to see how they get on. Share & Care recommends that the Homeowner meets the Sharer with a member of their family or a family friend – and whenever possible and practical, meets the Sharer more than once – to ensure they are able to make an informed decision about whether the Sharer is suitable for their situation and requirements for help. Referees may also contacted by the Homeowner/their family. The Homeowner will be able to meettheir potential Sharer. Whenever possible, we also recommend inviting the Sharer to stay for a day or two prior to committing to the Share as a trial to ensure everyone is comfortable with the arrangement.
Costs: Share & Care charges both the Homeowner and the Sharer a small monthly facilitation fee. There is no exchange of money between the Homeowner and the Sharer.The Homeowner does not pay anything until we have introduced them to a suitable Sharer who suits their needs, and has offered them a home. At that time we charge a monthly facilitation fee of £150 (plus 20% vat – Total £180.00) for the duration of the arrangement, which enables us to keep in regularcontact and to monitor and support the arrangement. The Homeowner does not pay their Sharer.
Length of Share:We ask our Sharers to be able to commit to one year living in the Homeshare and most arrangements last for at least a year, and many for several years. We understand that situations can change on both sides, and a 30 day notice period is included in all agreements, but we undertake to look for Sharers who will be in a position to commit for at least one year.
On-going support:Share & Care provides regular, on-going support to both the Homeowner and the Sharer. The objective is to monitor their relationship progress to encourage a happy, friendly share and if needed help to clarify and resolve any issues should they arise. The Share & Care team is always at the end of the phone to provide help, and aims to provide a professional and friendly service. Each month, for the duration of the Agreement, we will contact both parties to ensure they are happy with the situation and are on-hand to give advice and support as needed. We will also give feedback to a nominee if required.
Services provided to you by Share & Care Homeshare:
- Visit you in person whenever possible to find out what help you would like and ensure that your home is suitable for a Sharer. [We welcome you to invite a friend or relative to be present at this visit if you wish].
- Advertise to find potential Sharers who seem to match your needs and preferences
- Interview, reference-check and screen potential Sharers
- Provide details of potential Sharers, and make arrangements for you to meet them
- Assist in drawing up a Licence Agreement between you and your Sharer
- Contact you – or your nominee – in the days after move-in and regularly thereafter for the duration of the agreement, to monitor the arrangement and offer support and advice when it is needed.
- Mediate to resolve any difficulties that may arise in the agreement between you and the Sharer
- Endeavour to find a replacement Sharer when yours leaves
- If your situation should change in any way so that a Sharer is no longer the right choice for you, we will endeavour to recommend and put you in contact with more appropriate care options.
Testimonials:
AS, Dulwich-Client July 2014-January 2017
This reference was written by one of the daughters “I wanted to say a very big thank you to you all for the wonderful support Share and Care have given my mother over the last few years. I know I would not have been able to help my mother remain independent in her own home without you and your organisation, especially given my own location in Glasgow five hundred miles away.The whole extended family have benefited from this arrangement andwe have you to thank for introducing us to some truly kind and generous home sharers and live out visitors who will remain close family friends.
I have recommended you to others who find themselves in similar situations and would be happy to do so in the future.I wish you all the very best for the future and commend you on the valuable work you do.
PJ, Wimbledon-Client February 2015-February 2016
This reference was written by one of the daughters “Share and Care came recommended to us by a neighbour and has exceeded our expectations. The placement with my father has been highly successfuland is ending after 12 months only as his needs have changed. M has proved a sensitive, kind and reassuring companion who has fitted in well with
the whole family. Share and Care at all times have provided very helpful support and advice and we would strongly recommend their service”
Mrs KT, Highgate – Client January 2011-October 2013
This reference was written by one of her daughters:“I wanted to say thank you to you for your great work on behalf of my mother. We couldn’t have found a better agency to help us: You were generous with your time and effort, always understanding and responsive to our needs, wonderful listeners and so kind to my mother and to us. As well as being extremely professional! It was very comforting to know you were ‘there’ through this difficult and challenging time with my mother. You made a very large contribution to our ability to keep her at home as long as we did! As you know, I have already recommended you to several friends and will always be glad to do so in the future.”
Mrs JZ, Edgware – Client April 14 – May 15
Her daughter wrote: “Many thanks for all your help and support in finding someone to home share with mum. You all were so professional and understanding of my situation with mum suffering from Dementia. She was adamant she 'was able to stay in her own home and wasn't going into a care home'. You found Laura very quickly who was looking for somewhere to live in London as she was starting a new job. The whole process was so smooth. It has worked beautifully for the past year and Laura has now moved on to work abroad. Thank you again.”
And from a couple of Sharers:
MH 9/3/16: “Share and Care have been extremely helpful in finding me a well matched placement, in my preferred area.Being a companion to an elderly person has been a very rewarding experience, and I developed a good friendship during my placement.
The arrangement was perfect for my circumstances.
Share and Care gave me invaluable help, advice and support during the placement. Caroline is very professional and friendly.A friend of mine also took an assignment through Share and Care after my recommendation, and she is very happy about it.I wholeheartedly recommend Share and Care to anyone looking for a well matched placement. Many thanks again.”
MM 20/3/15: “Thank you very much for your wishes, your support and kindness all the way through the time being with Eva. I must say that I have never been in a more rewarding relationship and friendship than this. It felt amazing to become a friend with such a great and interesting person, like Eva. I could see how our friendship grew and we became a very close to each other. I felt being part of a family here. I will miss it tremendously. Your concept of sharing and caring it is wonderful. It is not a rent or a work contract; it is a life-changing experience of caring for each other, getting know each other, and I loved it!! Being open, loving and really seeing other human being for Eva and I, was very important. Sharing your thoughts and time, and not only helping with daily errands. Thank you very much for this opportunity and experience. I wish you all the best.”
About us:
Share & Care was established in 2006 to address a growing need for low-cost companionship and practical help, particularly for elderly people, and now offers homeshare across the UK.
While there are many options for people needing personal care, few help to alleviate loneliness and give the on-going companionship that sharing a home can give. Homeshare is an affordable solution offering practical help and support which can typically be very expensive if sought through separate channels.
Share & Care is committed to offering a bespoke, personal and professional service. Our Sharers are matched as closely as possible with our Homeowners to ensure that a friendship and mutual respect can develop, while also ensuring that safeguards exist. We are proud that our clients reward us by recommending us and, although we are keen to grow and promote the concept of homeshare across the UK, we are committed to ensuring we maintain our high standards, giving personal attention, support and the careful introductions of Homeowners to potential Sharers
Former public relationsaccount directorCarolineCookeestablished and ran the successfulLondon-based nanny agency After School Nannies from 2002 to 2006 when she sold it and turned her attention to Share & Care.“My years of recruiting nannies had given me a lot of experience in matching different characters and their varied needs,” says Caroline, who is married to a teacher, and has two children. “I love helping people. For thousands of older people, their families don’t live nearby – or are working and have young families of their own. Share & Care can help provide practical supportand ease the feeling of loneliness – and even anxiety – that older people can have living on their own, while also giving reassurance to their families.”
Amanda Clarke joined Share & Care in 2012, having run her own business selling property in Egypt for 7 years. Prior to that Amanda headed the design and development team of Puma UK. She has two children. “I am of an age whereby I understand first-hand the difficulties faced when trying to make suggestions and decide on the most appropriate care for an elderly parent. I genuinely think homeshare is a marvellous concept. It is a win-win way of helping elderly people remain independent in their own homes while also giving younger people who are struggling to get on the property ladder a chance to live in a low-cost way. I am delighted to be part of the Share & Care team and feel privileged to be part of the growing homeshare concept.”
If you are interested in the service offered by Share & Care
and would like more information, or to arrange a home visit,
please contact Caroline or Amanda on:
Tel: 020 3865 3398 / 020 8405 6316
Email:
You can follow us via Twitter/Facebook/
Share and Care Homeshare Ltd, Chestnut Suite, Thornton House, Thornton Road, London SW19 4NG
Tel: 020 3865 3398 / 020 8405 6316, Email: ,
Registered in England & Wales- Company No: 09898282. Registered Office 265-269 Kingston Road, Wimbledon SW19 3NW
VAT Registration Number: 229418496