What’s Happening with Homeshare in Wales?
I am just over two months into my Homeshare Wales Development Officer role and I am absolutely loving the opportunity to bring this fantastic program into Wales. The Welsh Government has funded us for three years to develop three Homeshare pilots throughout Wales, which is incredibly exciting.
We are still conducting feasibility work alongside raising awareness of Homeshare with individuals and organisations. We have had a fantastic response from our Homesharer surveys. So far 97% of respondents said they would sign up to a Homeshare programme if there was one in their area. Also, whilst having reduced rent was seen as the top benefit of Homeshare, it was very closely followed by maybe making a new friend, which reinforces the intergenerational approach of the model and the willingness of the younger generation to make lasting friendships with older people.
The response from organisations working with older people has revealed that:
- 100% of respondents said that they encounter older people living alone who have low level support needs
- 100% agreed that the demand for low-level support services for older people grown in the last 5 years
- 57% said that it has increased significantly
- 100% also said that there was evidence of growing isolation among older people living on their own in their areas of work.
We have been meeting with organisations and delivering presentations in order to raise awareness of Homeshare. Whilst we have not yet confirmed where the three pilots will be, we have had some very positive meetings with several organisations showing interest in delivering Homeshare programs. Of course, it’s very early days, with much to be explored but the response has been very encouraging with people grasping the model and its innovative response to isolation and the affordability of accommodation.
We have also been taking to social media and publicising the program as well as the surveys. You can access our new Homeshare Wales leaflets here English Cwmraeg
If you haven’t completed one of our surveys and would like to then please follow these links:
Householder/Older person survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/29M5JYG
Organisational survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WalesOrgSurvey
Please get in touch if you would like to hear more about Homeshare and its development in Wales.
Tim Crahart
tim@sharedlivesplus.org.uk 07867 452 159
We are bringing Homeshare to Wales!
Following on from our recent news about developing Homeshare in Scotland, we are thrilled to announce that, funded by the Welsh government over the next three years we plan to bring Homeshare to Wales too!
Homeshare enriches the lives of both the Householder and the Homesharer, building links across generations and connecting people with their local communities. It’s a model of support and Housing that is growing in popularity in the rest of the UK.
Having a dedicated local provision will make Homeshare available to so many more people across the UK and we welcome the support from the Welsh government in recognising the benefits that Homeshare could bring to people across generations in Wales.
By March 2024 we aim to establish three Homeshare pilot programmes across the country, enabling older people to stay in their own homes for longer, allowing younger people to have access to good quality accommodation, and reduce isolation and loneliness by bringing together people who want to share their lives and homes.
Working with the Welsh Government and underpinned by the Connected Communities Policy our dedicated Homeshare Development Officer will:
- Work with groups of older and young people and partners from the Voluntary and Community sector to develop feasibility studies and identify pilot sites in Wales.
- Support the set up and development of three pilot programmes.
- Create a thriving Homeshare community across the country.
If you would like to hear more about our development plans for Wales, please contact:
Kathryn Morgan, Wales Homeshare and Shared Lives Development Manager on 07867 452 158 or kathryn@sharedlivesplus.org.uk
