• Householders are typically in their 80s, though the ages range from 70 to well over 90.
• Most are women and most live alone, though some have a family member living with them.
• Some of these elderly people have other helpers or carers, paid or informal, and for some, homesharing is part of a package of support.

Homeshare is now broadening its remit to provide a service to householders with mental illness and learning disability.

Homesharers generally have to be 23+ years old and the average age is 27. A high proportion of homesharers are from Australia, New Zealand and other countries and are visiting the UK to broaden their experience. Some are mature students but many are working. For them, homesharing offers low-cost accommodation in expensive cities like London.

What does the exchange involve?

Householders provide free accommodation to their homesharer in exchange for ten hours of help each week, though both parties pay a small fee to Homeshare to support the charity's costs.

The help offered to the householder is tailored to his or her needs.

• Most householders need help with domestic tasks like shopping, cooking, or cleaning.
• Many need companionship.
• For significant numbers, the real benefit of homesharing is the security of having someone in the home at night.
• Others need more personal care, such as help to get washed and dressed in the mornings and evenings.

The homesharer pursues his or her day-time occupation but has to sleep at home six nights in seven, with one weekend off a month. They also commit themselves to staying for at least six months. Some homeshare matches last considerably longer than the minimum however.

How do the programmes operate?

The programmes are run by paid co-ordinators who are responsible for:

• finding and screening potential householders and homesharers
• matching clients to a suitable homesharer
  supporting and training the homesharers
• liaising with social services who sometimes purchase this service
• troubleshooting

How are they funded?

London
Some of the charity's costs are passed on to the beneficiaries. For details of charges, contact Homeshare covering London.

Bristol
Householders pay £80 per month and homesharers £60 per month.

Income from these sources does not meet the full operating costs and Homeshare relies on voluntary funds from Trusts and other generous donors.

Does it work?

Homesharing is most successful in London where there are over 100 matches. Some of the programmes are finding it difficult to recruit homesharers and this is limiting the number of matches. Homesharing is making a significant contribution to the support needs of many older people, some of them very vulnerable. The programme has been shown to work even for very dependent older people, some with dementia. Social services departments are beginning to buy in the services of Homeshare as it offers them a cost-effective means of providing 'care in the community'. Crucially, homesharing has enriched the lives of householders and homesharers alike.

Has any research been done on the programmes?

Patricia Thornton, The Homeshare project: report to the Community Care Trust of a study carried out by the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York, October 1995