When considering if homesharing is for you, think about both the practical and the emotional support that you would like to receive from the experience.
Homesharers are often employed or studying but will commit at least 10 hours a week of their time to support you with tasks and activities of your choosing. You can use your 10 hours a week of support enjoying trips out in the local community, visiting family and friends, cooking and eating meals together or asking your homesharer to assist you with household tasks and garden maintenance. Whatever you would like them to do.
Homesharing can be arranged for both tenants (subject to landlord permission) and homeowners and is suitable for:
- people living alone
- families looking for an extra set of hands
- frequent travellers
- care leavers living on their own for the first time
- people with longer term health conditions
By sharing your home, you are also helping your homesharer too!
We call this a relationship of mutual benefit. Homesharers tell us that they really enjoy coming home to someone at the end of a day’s work and chatting about their day. It’s a win-win situation where everyone gains from the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my homesharer?
Of course! Initially, we meet with you to find out more about your requirements, lifestyle and interests. We’ll ask about the skills and qualities of the person you are hoping to be matched with and talk through the applicants we have on out waiting list.
Should you want to meet one or two of our homesharers, we will arrange an introductory meeting to introduce you to each other. We help you get to know each other and discuss what each other want to gain from the experience. Should you want to meet again, we arrange further meetings with or without us present. Ultimately, there is no commitment for the homesharer to move into your home until you are ready to allow this.
How do I know I will be safe?
All homesharers are DBS (Criminal Record and Police) checked, reference checked and ID checked before they are told anything about you and your home. When you choose a homesharer and agree a moving in date, we ask homesharers to complete an Adult Safeguarding Course which gives them insight into how best to support you during their stay and what to do in an emergency or if an incident occurs. Homeshare Leicestershire staff are nationally qualified Social Workers and Community Workers who are available to support you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you need some advice or guidance and when you have a homesharer living with you, we will regularly visit and speak to you to make sure that the experience remains positive and meeting your expectations and requirements.
Your health, wellbeing and safety is of utmost importance. Therefore, we advise that you talk to your family, friends, neighbours or support workers about your desire to homeshare and include them in your decision-making process. Homesharing works best when everyone feels comfortable with the process and able to make a contribution to your wellbeing.
Will I need to decorate my home?
Not at all! Your home will be more appealing to homesharers if it is clean, tidy and uncluttered but more importantly, we will verify that your home is a safe space to live in.
You can make sure that your home has the necessary smoke alarms and emergency exits by contacting Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service for a FREE home safety check. Follow the links for more info.
How much does Homeshare Leicestershire cost?
There is NO cost for our homeshare service however you may have a slight increase in your utility costs as you will have an extra person living in your home.
Alternatively, a comparable cost of Personal Assistant - 10 hours @ £11.44 per hour (National Minimum Wage, 2024)= £114.40 per week.
Will I be tied into any legal contracts?
Until your homesharer moves into your home, you have no legal liabilities or are under no commitment to continue your homesharing journey. You can change your mind at any time.
When you agree for your homesharer to move into your property, we will sign a Licence to Occupy, a written agreement between yourself, the homesharer and Homeshare Leicestershire.
The agreement lasts as long as you and your homesharer want it to and is regularly reviewed. Following an initial trial period of 1 month, we ask politely to give at least 1 months notice when considering terminating the agreement. This allows time for us to assist the homesharer in finding alternative accommodation and identify replacement support for yourselves.
This written agreement confirms:
- The duties you would like your homesharer to do in return for their accommodation.
- The safety and access of private and shared spaces in the home that you agree to share with your homesharer.
- The service provided by Homeshare Leicestershire in support of this agreement.
Homesharing is not forever
Don’t be scared into thinking homesharing needs to be for a long period of time. This is not necessarily the case. Many homesharers are looking for short term agreements so they can find their feet in a new city or save some money to get on to the property ladder. Through homesharing, you can help them with this. We also understand that your needs might change too and what you need support with now, may differ in the future so as part of our monitoring process, we will discuss happy endings so when the time comes to move on, the process is open, transparent, agreed and planned ensuring no one feels awkward and surprised.
What if I need more support than a homesharer can provide?
Shared Lives Carers provide personal care and support in their own homes. As a client, you will move into their family home and live as part of their family with your own private bedroom and shared access to other rooms in your home. Your carer is paid to meet your social care needs and will include you in evenings out, birthday celebrations and holidays.
Click on these links to find out more about our sister projects in Leicester City and Leicestershire: