Accommodation offered in exchange for a little help
December 12, 2007
Homeshare in Oxfordshire
What is Homesharing?
Homeshare is a simple way of helping people to help each other. A Homeshare involves two people with different sets of needs, both of whom also have something to offer. Firstly, people who have a home that they are willing to share but are at a stage in their life where they need some help and support for example with driving, cooking or tending the garden. These people are known as Householders and are often older or disabled people or those with mental or physical ill health. Secondly, people who need accommodation and who are willing to give some help in exchange for somewhere to stay. These people are known as Homesharers and are often keyworkers, mature students or those facing a life changes such as a divorce or bereavement.
By putting these two people together Homeshare manages to find the Householder the help, support and security they need. At the same time Homeshare finds the Homesharer a place to call home, rent free and maybe in an area or property that would have been financially out of their reach.
Both people, their families and communities benefit from the arrangement and the costs are very low.
The Oxfordshire Homeshare Programme employs a Homeshare Coordinator. The Coordinator has the task of finding suitable Householders and Homesharers and introducing them to each other. Coordinators also provide any help and support that the Householder or Homesharer need in order to keep the Homeshare arrangement working well for both parties.
What Homeshare is not
Even though Homeshare is a very simple concept it can often get mistaken for other kinds of services and arrangements. It is essential that any potential participants are clear in advance about the boundaries of Homeshare.
Homeshare is not live in care for the Householder because:
* Most Homesharers have a full time job are or studying. They would not have the time and it would be unfair to expect them to also take on a caring role.
* If personal or nursing care is provided it is checked and underpinned by a wealth of regulations and requirements. If Homesharers were providing care without taking account of this regulation they and/or the Homeshare programme could be prosecuted.
* Providing care is a specialist skill that Homesharers may not have and it should not be expected of them.
* Live in care is very expensive and would be worth more to the Householder than the low costs they are contributing to the Homeshare arrangement.
* Homeshare is a reciprocal arrangement where both parties benefit; this would be adversely affected by the Homesharer becoming a live in carer.
Homeshare is not a live-in Housekeeper for the Householder because:
* As with live in care most Homesharers work or study and it would be inappropriate to expect them to also take on a housekeeping role.
* As with live in care, live in housekeeping would be worth more to the Householder than the costs they are contributing to the Homeshare arrangement.
* As with live in care Homeshare is a reciprocal arrangement and this would be adversely affected by the Homesharer becoming a Housekeeper.
* Employment is governed by a wealth of regulations and requirements. Householders employing a Housekeeper (even in an informal arrangement) could be expected to pay the minimum wage, abide by working time directives and the many rules that govern employers.
Homeshare is not simply a lodger arrangement because:
* Both parties in a Homeshare agreement are interviewed and Homesharers are vetted and checked before they even meet each other.
* The compatibility of both parties and the suitability of the home are carefully considered by the Homeshare Coordinator before a match is made.
* The Homesharer is expected to provide some support or services to the Householder, which would not be part of a lodger arrangement.
* The Homesharer pays only a small amount or nothing as part of the Homeshare arrangement which is rare in a lodger arrangement.
* The Homeshare Coordinator provides on-going support and advice to both parties so they are not alone if something goes wrong.
* The Homesharer does not have a tenancy agreement
Homeshare can work very well as one aspect of a more comprehensive package of support for the Householder, providing someone in the home at night. However, care should always be taken to protect the Homeshare model if this option is being considered
The Oxfordshire Homeshare pilot
The Department of Health recognised the potential of Homeshare in England and welcomed the model in the green paper “Independence, Wellbeing and Choice” as a way of supporting and empowering people to live independent lives.They sponsored a one year project run by the National Association of Adult Placement Services (NAAPS) and Oxford Brookes University, through the Home Office funded Change Up Programme. This project explored the potential of the Homeshare model and culminated in the publication of a national Homeshare Practice Guide
NAAPS and Oxford Brookes have now gained funding from the DH to take forward the work started by the Practice Guide Project, to work with two areas of England to set up new Homeshare Programmes from scratch using the Practice Guide. The pilot programmes will be academically evaluated by Oxford Brookes University and hope to demonstrate the value of Homeshare to individuals, communities, employers and local authorities.
Oxfordshire has been selected as one of the two pilot areas, predominantly because of the networks made and work already undertaken by Oxford Brookes University in the area.
The pilot project is funded for two years from December 2006 until December 2008. The funding will cover the cost of employing a Homeshare Coordinator who will set up and manage the programme. The Coordinator will also be provided with administrative and management support. Oxfordshire County Council has agreed that the Programme Coordinator can be sited within the Council’s Adult Placement Service. The Programme is directed and supported by a multi agency Steering Group.
At the end of the pilot project it is hoped that there will be sufficient evidence of value to Oxfordshire for Oxfordshire County Council and other partners to consider funding the programme to allow it to continue its work.
The particular benefits of Homeshare in Oxfordshire to:
Oxfordshire County Council (OCC)
OCC aims to give individuals and families greater control over the way in which social care supports their needs. Everyone has a contribution to make and if individuals become more independent they will be able to play a fuller part in their local community. They may also be able to avoid traditional care and support services; reducing costs and freeing capacity within these services for people more in need of them. For this reason OCC is working to develop more proactive and preventative models of support and Homeshare fits well with this intention.
Many older people live alone and family and friends are too far away to provide support and companionship. This is a trend that is likely to grow. Older people are often isolated within their communities and often have little contact with younger generations who in turn may struggle to find affordable accommodation having moved away from their own families and support networks to find work or undertake study. OCC aims to continue to support people to live independently in their own homes and to promote their ability to be active citizens.
Homeshare is inline with the government’s intention to focus on positive outcomes and well being and to work proactively with people ensuring they have more choice and control. Homeshare supports the importance of positive relationships, dignity and respect
Homeshare reduces the impact of loneliness and isolation for the householder and enables them to remain for longer in their own homes by providing support and companionship. It is a cost effective way of providing support in the local community and it builds self-esteem by reminding people that they have much to give.
For the Homesharer the benefits include affordable accommodation for instance for key workers and students. There are also benefits for the Homesharer usually a younger person in learning about life experience and the mutual benefits of bringing generations together.
Homeshare in Oxfordshire will have the potential to assist some employees and students in finding suitable accommodation. Recruitment and retention difficulties are often experienced partly because people cannot afford to live in the type of housing or location that is suitable for them. Some employees and students also prefer not to live alone, especially for their first time, or when new to the area, and are happy to do their fair share to help. Thus Homeshare can help Householders to happily remain living in their own home, while assisting OCC to maintain / improve the standards of service to the community and making the most of existing housing stock.
Universities and colleges
University students are a diverse group of people. Those who have recently finished school are on their way towards independent living, whilst others are perhaps in the process of changing career direction or embracing the opportunity to study. The recent rise in the cost of university education coupled with living costs, results in a significant number of students seeking paid employment during the years of university life. The combination of studying for a degree or diploma together with working in paid employment can be onerous and detract from the overall university experience and possibly contribute to attrition.
Many universities offer accommodation to students who do not live within travelling distance, for their first year only. Thereafter, they have to find suitable accommodation nearby but the cost of accommodation in university cities is often high, indeed meeting the cost of rent and bills is the biggest financial outlay students’ face. It is unacceptable for universities to lose good students because of accommodation costs.
Affordable housing is a necessity and one that is recognised as crucial to the recruitment and retention of students. However, affordable is not enough; it needs to be a home where the occupant can feel safe. Homeshare can assist in easing the burden of paying rent by offering affordable accommodation for students who are willing and able to offer support to another person. Homeshare is not just about accommodation for these students. It offers a vicarious learning of real life issues enriching their university experience.
Several universities in Spain and Germany have well-established university Homeshare programmes. In England there are currently no specific Homeshare programmes within universities but a Homeshare programme that is accessible to students and others would allow students to access this opportunity and thus bring town and gown closer together. It is important to consider the student’s course and to be explicit about the expectations and nature of support requested, for example, students studying health and social care courses will need to be reminded that Homeshare is specifically about support and not care. This distinction will also need to be explored with householders.
Students, as other potential homesharers, will need to recognise that Homeshare is not just about affordable accommodation and that a commitment to support the householder is vital. An initial meeting with the student would help identify his or her interests and commitment to the programme and provide a chance to review expectations. It is important to ascertain if the student has the time to provide support without it impinging on academic work. Homeshare offers a ready made home and company away from the hurly burly of student life which does have an appeal for some students.
Housing organisations or agencies
Homeshare offers a low cost, real and mutually beneficial housing option to a range of people who are looking for accommodation, particularly the young and those facing homelessness.
Churches and faith groups
The particular benefit of Homeshare to Churches and faith groups in Oxfordshire is the opportunity to be of practical service to the local community, especially in enabling more of the elderly members of the community to stay longer in their own homes. Homeshare also supports intergenerational understanding that can benefit the lives of both parties and the community as a whole.
Voluntary organisations
By being involved in Homeshare, Oxfordshire voluntary organisations are able to represent the views of people who may be potential Householders or Homesharers. They may be able to refer any people who make contact for information about sharing their home to a local programme operating in Oxfordshire. Voluntary organisations are often limited by the amount of services and options available to people in their area. Homeshare gives an additional and valuable option.
Employers (including key worker employers)
Many large employers in Oxfordshire such as the County Council, Primary Care Trusts, hospitals and Thames Valley Police find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain key staff such as teachers, fire fighters, social workers, nurses and police officers. Many employees who come to Oxfordshire for the first time are young and single and often find it impossible to find accommodation that is appropriate and affordable. Offering Homeshare to potential and existing employees, who are so essential to effective service delivery, would enable employers to offer this choice of accommodation, and therefore to recruit and retain staff.
Young people leaving care
Some young people experience isolation when they live alone for the first time. Homeshare can provide a mutually supportive environment which benefits both the young person and the householder. Young people can use and develop their skills to assist others, in return for low cost, safe accommodation, where regular contact with the householder can prevent loneliness and build self-esteem.
For more information
Contact Victoria Harwood, Oxfordshire Homeshare Coordinator
Write to:
Foxcombe Court
Abingdon Business Park
Wyndyke Furlong
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 1DZ
Mobile: 07889002526
Fax: 01235 549398
E mail: Victoria.harwood@oxfordshire.gov.uk
March 2007
