A HAMPSHIRE charity recently gave a presentation to Romsey residents on a scheme that matches an older householder with a younger lodger, to help with everyday tasks.

St John’s Winchester launched Homeshare last year following the success in other areas such as Oxford, Reading and Bristol.

Emma Kiss, manager at the charity, spoke to the Romsey Forum on Thursday, November 30. 

The scheme allows students and professionals to live at a lower cost in exchange for 10 hours of their time, whether that’s chatting, washing up, pet care or shopping, for their older homeowner.

In addition to giving 10 hours of companionship and practical help, sharers pay £200 per month on top of bills, which are agreed upon with the householder, in exchange for a home.

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Meanwhile, the homeowner pays £100 per month for St John’s to keep up the service and offer their support to both parties.

Hampshire Chronicle:

After the presentation, Ms Kiss said: “It was great to see the forum so well-attended on such a freezing night. The presentation was very well received and there were plenty of questions from the audience at the end. Many related to some of the key issues the Homeshare model helps address, such as the need for us to support older people to live independently in their own homes for longer. It was a great opportunity for St John’s Winchester to raise awareness of not only our Homeshare service, but our other community-based Dementia Support and Hand-in-Hand Befriending Services, all of which serve to help older people to live well in the wider community.”

The process starts with an application or a referral, before interviews, home visits, identity checks and references. Once a Homeshare agreement has been signed the pair who have undergone a bespoke selection process undergo a closely monitored one month trial period to see if it works for them.

For more information go to stjohnswinchester.co.uk/homeshare/.