My colleague Alice Williams has written a blog about our new Homesharers’ online community, which we believe may be the first national community of its kind for young people and other Homesharers who move in with an older Householder as part of Homeshare in the UK and in Ireland. Alice writes:
Being a Homesharer can be a great experience, which is as much about the great relationships people form with their host, as about being able to live affordably near where you work or study. It also comes with responsibilities and it can feel like you are in a different home environment to your friends and peer groups. Meeting like-minded people in similar situations can help both new and experienced Homesharers to feel connected and recognise they are part of something so much bigger than their Homeshare match.
So we have been busy over the last few months with our web team on a new area just for current Homesharers in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It’s completely free to join and once signed in Sharers can access useful resources, tips and advice on settling in, what to expect, breaking the ice and building relationships. There’s tailored guidance on living with older people and people with dementia and also some history of Homeshare for those interested in the context of the movement.
Members can connect with Sharers around the country: there’s a forum and newsfeed-style homepage to share stories, ask questions and get advice from peers.
There’s even online learning for Homesharers to work through at their own pace, with sections coming soon on “Getting the most from your Homeshare” and “Safeguarding vulnerable adults”, designed specifically for Homesharers who do not take on formal caring responsibilities, but often have questions about what they should do if a new or unexpected situation were to arise. Once completed, the sharers will get a certificate to accredit their learning that can be used for other Homesharing opportunities in the UK and around the world and as part of ongoing personal and professional development, which will be particularly helpful for the many Homesharers who are studying for or starting a career in caring or public service roles.
We are really excited about bringing this group of people together to enhance their Homeshare experience and hopefully feel more connected and engaged to their householders and the wider Homeshare movement.
If you are currently homesharing in the UK, it’s easy to sign up here: Sign up the Sharers Area Here
If you are thinking about Homesharing, these resources will be available once you are in a Homeshare match. In the meantime you can:
Escaping the invisible asylum 