About Homeshare

Each Homeshare arrangement is unique and facilitated by our Homeshare Manager who carefully checks and interviews applicants to match compatible homesharers. Safeguarding checks include Enhanced DBS, Right to Rent identity checks and personal references. The arrangement of the 10 hours a week support from the sharer is set out in the Homeshare Agreement, written by both parties and facilitated by the Manager.

A Homeshare match does not involve any personal care but can work alongside a third-party care service. The Agreement is regularly monitored by the Coordinator to ensure things run smoothly. For more information, please see our FAQs.

Shared Lives Plus TV (owned by Shared Lives Plus) gives permission to St John’s Winchester to show this video of homesharers Florence (94) and Alexandra (27).

Benefits for householders:

Stay living independently, actively and safely in your own home for longer
Companionship and support with household chores (shopping, cooking, cleaning)
Option to share bills
Reassurance of not being alone – especially at night
Chance to give back, expand life experience and share skills

Benefits for homesharers:

Affordable accommodation at time of housing shortage and high rents
Safer living environment in a wider choice of location
Chance to give back, expand life experience and share skills
Companionship of sharing a living space
Chance to give back, expand life experience and share skills

St John’s Homeshare service offers:

Peace of mind from robust safeguarding, vetting and reference checks
Selection process based on individually matching interests, lifestyles and hobbies
Security, Risk Assessment and household checks completed
On-going and professional third-party support to facilitate and monitor the match
Access to Homeshare UK’s national network of Householders and Homesharers
Service designed and managed following Homeshare UK Good Practice Guidelines and Quality Assurance Framework
Access to other community support services offered by St John’s Winchester

St John’s Homeshare is a member of Homeshare UK (HSUK), a nation-wide network of homeshare service providers and adheres to HSUK’s Practice Guidelines and Quality Assurance Framework, and have signed HSUK’s Network Members Charter. A copy of the HSUK Network Members Charter can be accessed here. Age UK are partners of Homeshare UK, and operate successful schemes in Oxford, Reading and Gloucester. Leeds City Council are also homeshare service providers.

Next Steps

If you would like to find out more or to register your interest, please fill out our enquiry form.

If you would like to join Homeshare or make a referral, you can download the Expression of Interest Form, save on your computer, fill in and email back to us, and we will endeavour to respond to your enquiry within five working days.

You can download a pdf copy print, complete and send it to us. Please address it to: Homeshare Manager, St John’s Winchester, 32 St John’s South, The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9LN.

You can also phone us on 01962 854 226 for an informal chat, or email us at homeshare@stjohnswinchester.co.uk.

Please read our latest blog post and read our press release. You can also view our service leaflet for further information.

To view our current opportunities, please click here.

In looking for suitable care options for our elderly mother who wishes to continue living in her large family house, but now needs some regular support around the house and more company, we contacted St John’s Homeshare.

We had several meetings and conversations with Emma who leads the service. We were hugely impressed with her knowledge, wisdom and genuinely caring manner. She was particularly attentive to getting to know mum and understanding what type of person might match her personality and practical help requirements.

She communicated very well with mum and all the family, generating much confidence in the whole process, including her continuing involvement in supporting a Homeshare arrangement.

Unfortunately, we were unable to proceed with arranging a home share due to changes in our circumstances, but I would have no hesitation in recommending the St John’s Homeshare option, and Emma in particular, to others.

Dr S, Winchester