2024 was an exciting year for Homeshare International, but also included some significant changes. Here are 10 key moments from the year:
1. Homeshare International celebrated its 25thAnniversary in 2024. The charity was set up in 1999 by Nan Maitland, and her extraordinary contribution to homeshare was recognised in the Nan Maitland Memorial Lecture given by Elizabeth Mills at our Congress in September.
2. Our first Congress since 2019 was held in Trento, Italy, and hosted in partnership with Core member VIVO.CON. With speakers from across Europe, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, the Congress provided wonderful opportunities to meet, learn from and be inspired by other homeshare providers.
3. 2024 saw changes to the structure of the Homeshare International Network (HIN), with homeshare programmes and national umbrella organisations becoming our Core Membership. Over the course of the year we welcomed new Core Members from the US, Canada, Portugal and the Netherlands.
4. The restructuring saw the launch of our Associate Membership programme for anyone with an interest in homeshare or working in an associated field, but who does not run a homeshare programme.
5. Homeshare in Conversation, our online bi-monthly discussions for homeshare providers and the general public, brought people together from across the world to explore topics relating to homeshare. These included our first presentation and discussion in French, as well as our first in-person meeting and discussion in Trento.
6. A successful fundraising campaign allowed us to provide financial support for attendees to the Congress. This included the offer of four travel grants of £500, and assistance for Homeshare Oxfordshire to bring a young homesharer whose valuable perspective was a welcome addition.
7. The Congress saw the first public screening of Homeshare Oxfordshire’s new film More Than Just a Match, which is a fabulous advertisement for the homeshare model and the human stories that make it so special.
8. Our Chair, Cheryl Snider, sadly had to step down from the board of Trustees due to health concerns in October. She has been replaced by the Vice-Chair, Elizabeth Mills, who will lead the organisation over the next months until the recruitment of a new Chair.
9. Sally Bird, who joined Homeshare International as a part-time administrator in January 2023, has been appointed by the Trustees as a part-time Director of the charity from January 2025, to help them achieve their vision and objectives.
10. Homeshare International has exciting plans for 2025, including a new Community of Practice for Core Members starting in February, a new season of Homeshare in Conversation discussions starting in March, and the recruitment of new Trustees to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the organisation.
