Homesharing is a simple way of helping people to help each other In essence, a homeshare involves bringing together two people with different sets of needs, both of whom have something to offer each other: The Homeowner has a home they are willing to share and are at the stage of life where they will benefit from receiving a level of practical help around their home as well as the reassurance [for them and their relatives] having someone living with them. The Sharer benefits from affordable accommodation and is willing to give practical support – such as cooking, shopping, light cleaning, laundry, DIY, gardening, computer assistance – and friendly companionship in exchange for somewhere to live. In a homeshare arrangement, both the Homeowner and the Sharer are gaining from the arrangement and feel valued and respected for their contribution. This allows them both to enter the homeshare arrangement with dignity, enthusiasm and appreciation. Homesharing is a very low-cost arrangement, costing each party just £5 a day. Homeowners provide free accommodation in their home to their Sharer in exchange for their time and help. Both parties pay a small monthly fee to Share & Care to facilitate and support the arrangement. While homesharing is still a relatively unknown concept in the UK, the first homeshare programmes were set up in the US in 1972, and the first in the UK in the 1980s. Today there are homeshare programmes across the world including in France, Germany and Australia.