Homeshare Oxfordshire
Homeshare Oxfordshire carefully matches older people who are looking for help or companionship at home, with another person who can lend a hand, and needs affordable accommodation.
Please note use of this video is not authorised except in its current and unedited form.
What We Do?
Homeshare Oxfordshire carefully matches older people who are looking for help or companionship at home, with another person who can lend a hand, and needs affordable accommodation.
In return for the accommodation the Sharer gives the Householder up to 10 hours of their time each week as a combination of companionship and practical help.
Each Homeshare match is individual and carefully agreed. It may include some cooking and light housework, help with computers and technology, maybe some shopping or gardening, spending time together over a meal or cup of tea as well as occasional trips out. The reassuring presence of another person in the house overnight is often an additional benefit for the Householder.
A Homeshare match does not involve any personal care.
What are the costs?
Monthly fees are payable to Homeshare Oxfordshire by Householders and Sharers. These fees cover the costs of the checks, the facilitation of the match, and the provision of regular ongoing support for the duration of the Homeshare. The Householder pays from £100 per month, the equivalent of £3 day. The Sharer pays £200 per month. The fees help Homeshare Oxfordshire to operate as a sustainable scheme with more people able to benefit.
The Sharer makes a contribution to the Householder of an agreed amount towards household bills.
-
Applying to Homeshare Oxfordshire
Please see this document for further information and to check if a Homeshare arrangement might be right for you.
-
Current opportunities listing
Take a look at our list of available homeshare opportunities across the county.
*COVID-19 – CORONAVIRUS: We are taking all necessary precautions to operate as safely as possible following guidelines, protocols and taking into account the circumstances and needs of each individual. Please contact us to talk this through if you wish. *
Contact Homeshare Oxfordshire
To register your interest in any of the current opportunities please using the online form further down the page and we will contact you shortly. For any queries email homeshare@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or call 01865 410 670.
Current opportunities with Homeshare Oxfordshire
-
Coming soon
We are currently speaking with new Householders and will soon be offering Homeshare opportunities in:
- Thame
- Cholsey
- Nr Didcot
- North Oxford
- South Oxford
-
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Headington, Oxford OX3 (Ref 079)
We're looking for an independent, caring and understanding person to provide a reassuring presence to a kind-natured, elderly gentleman in his calm, peaceful home environment.
The householder, a retired French teacher, has led a full and active life. He still has good mobility but Alzheimer’s disease and the isolation of Covid-19 lockdowns have changed things for him and he and his family would like there to be someone else in the house.
The opportunity would work best for a tidy and discreet person who would mainly be around in the evening and at times over the weekends. Someone with an understanding of some of the issues that can be associated with memory loss would be important.
-
Abingdon, OX14 (Ref 074)
We're looking for a warm, friendly and caring person to join an elderly gentlemen, who since having a stroke in March 2021 is looking for someone to provide a reassuring presence in his home. Overall, things have improved significantly and it is important to the Householder that he remains as independent as possible.
A good cook and someone who likes spending time at home and who would be around evenings and overnight would be very welcome. If they had an interest in Sport that would be a bonus!
-
Church Hanborough, OX29 (Ref 070)
We're looking for someone easy going, independent, and sensitive to join an active retired architect in his late sixties (with his dog!), offering ensuite accommodation in the annex of a lovely Cotswolds cottage.
This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys their own space as well as good-natured company, likes sharing meals (and also cooking them!) and is a dog-lover. They would be happy to dog-sit, be handy with computer help and preferably work at least part of the time from home.
-
West End, Witney, OX28 (Ref 035)
We're looking for a responsible, considerate, friendly and tidy person who would enjoy company and conversation, and who shares some of the Householder's interests.
Someone of a similar socialist political stance, open about their views and who enjoys debate and discussion could be very welcome.
-
Crowmarsh, nr Wallingford OX10 (Ref 080)
We're looking for a compatible, empathetic and understanding person, or couple, who would enjoy living in a semi-rural location to share the home of an independent retired lecturer in his mid-eighties on the edge of the village.
The Householder’s interests include family history, the outdoors and gardening. Dog walking is an important part of the daily routine. The Householder would like anyone sharing with him to feel very much at home and to use the living space flexibly, as pre-agreed.
-
ON HOLD - AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2022
Tower Hill, Witney, OX28 (Ref 069)
We're looking for an easy going, friendly person - who likes to live a quiet life - to join a friendly and independent older lady who very much values her own company and privacy and is self-sufficient in many ways, but owing to deteriorating eyesight, would now feel reassured knowing that there is someone else in the house.
Someone who enjoys their own space, is content in their own company, is as happy talking as not talking, but who would equally enjoy gentle companionship would be a good match!
-
Is Homesharing for you?
Has reading through these Homeshare Opportunities made you think about how a Homeshare arrangement might benefit yourself, or an older friend or relative?
Get in touch
Use the ‘Register your interest’ form below
Call 01865 410670
Frequently Asked Questions
Can couples be Householders and Sharers?
Yes – it might take longer to place Sharer couples, but by all means please get in touch with us.
Can Householders and Sharers have pets?
I don’t own my home, can I still be a Householder?
We ask anyone who doesn’t own their home outright to seek permission from their mortgage provider or Landlord before applying to be a Householder for Homeshare Oxford.
Local Authority Housing – You will need to ask permission to have a Sharer join you in your home and how contribution to bills may affect your Benefits. If you would like to be a Householder, we recommend you speak to us before applying and we can support you to have a conversation with the council about how this may change your benefits, so that you can take this into consideration before you decide to apply.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of a Homeshare?
We say that a Homeshare should be a minimum of 6 months.
If an end date is already known at the beginning of a Homeshare (eg. a student who know when they will be moving on) we will include these details in the agreements. If an end date is not known, the match can roll on month by month.
If either the Householder or Sharer wants to move on from a match, they need to give one month’s notice. This can be given at any stage in the match, and we will support both the Householder and Sharer if and when a match comes to an end.
When will a Sharer provide the 10 hours Help around the Home?
The 10 hours Help around the Home needs to be agreed and to fit around a Sharer’s work or studies and a Householder’s preferences. It is quite likely that it will fall into evening and weekends if the Sharer is working or studying full time. The preferences of the Householder and availability of the Sharer are taken into account by the Homeshare team when looking at suitability of two people for a Homeshare.
How will it work when Householder or Sharer is away on holiday or for weekends?
We recommend that you let each other know well in advance of going away so that plans can be made to cover any additional support needed for Householders. Similarly, if a Householder is going to be away they may be reassured to know that the Sharer will be around in their absence. A Homeshare arrangement may not work for Sharers who are likely to be away a lot or for extended periods of time. Please get in touch if this is the case so that we can discuss this.
I am a student and I go home/away from Oxford during term breaks, can I be a Sharer?
In general, Homeshare is not suitable for students who will only be around during term-time. But there may be occasions when this might work, so please do get in touch with us.
Contact Homeshare Oxfordshire
Please register your interest using the enquiry form below and we will contact you shortly. For any queries email homeshare@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or call 01865 410 670.
Homeshare Oxfordshire Documents
Applying to Homeshare Oxfordshire | |
Homeshare Oxfordshire Accommodation Opportunity Profiles
|
Headington, Oxford, OX3 (Ref 079) |
MATCH CONFIRMED - NO LONGER AVAILABLE |
|
West End, Witney, OX28 (Ref 035) | AVAILABLE |
|
Crowmarsh, OX10 (Ref 080) | NEW - AVAILABLE |
|
Abingdon, OX14 (Ref 074) | AVAILABLE |
|
Church Hanborough, OX29 (Ref 070) | AVAILABLE |
|
Witney, Tower Hill, OX28 (Ref 069) | ON HOLD UNTIL SEPTEMBER |