“The best part of homesharing is living in a family environment – I wouldn’t
have experienced this in student accommodation.”
Moving from another country to the UK to study is an expensive time. The cost of rental
accommodation can be unaffordable, but 29 year old Damini Pal discovered a way to live
that better suited her lifestyle and was significantly cheaper. Damini grew up living with
her family and her grandparents in India and was therefore very comfortable with the
prospect of homesharing. She has lived in a homeshare arrangement for 6 months and for
Damini, the best aspect is being part of a welcoming family environment.
“I have always lived in a family environment with grandparents, and I knew that
homesharing with an older person would be right for me.
I came to the UK from India to study a post-graduate degree in graphic design at the
University of Hertfordshire, and I needed somewhere affordable to live. As a student,
you’re always looking for cost-effective accommodation and that was another reason I
chose a homeshare arrangement.
The best part of homeshare for me is that you get the friendly, family homeshare
environment, and that people treat you really well. I live with a householder who has
dementia. He is very nice, and his family are extremely nice too – I often talk with them.
When I first moved in, they explained how dementia affects my householder and the best
way I can support him. This was very helpful and prepared me for what to expect.
The family also often invite me to lunch. For me, I’m in a foreign country and when
someone treats you nicely, it’s lovely.
Another plus point is that It’s a good way to interact well with local people and to get to
know more about the area in which I live, which I wouldn’t really experience if I lived in
student accommodation.
The money-saving aspect is a big thing as the cost savings on accommodation are significant.
As well as studying, I work part-time as a nanny, which I also love. I put the money saved
through homesharing, along with the money I earn through working, aside to pay for my
extended visa when it needs renewing as that usually costs between £3,000 – £4,000.
The house that I live in is beautiful and in a really good location in London. The householder
used to be an artist and so there are a lot of paintings, royal furniture and antiques around
the home. As a graphic designer, seeing this every day is heaven! I can admire the beauty,
and feel good about what’s around me.
What’s interesting about my arrangement is that there are two sharers living in the same
home, which is very good. The other sharer is also from India and I’m so happy to be
homesharing with her. She is very well educated and has amazing manners! We have
formed a lovely friendship and often go out shopping together.
In terms of the support I provide to my householder, when you live with someone, you
never count the hours. It doesn’t work like that for me – I give as much as I can.
For example, I cook meals for my householder every day and we eat lunch and dinner
together. Our palettes our very different, I like spicy food, but my householder doesn’t so I
often cook pasta type dishes, but he’s still happy for me to cook the food I prefer in the
house too!
Interestingly, my householder’s father was born in India, so we share some common ground
there too. His own father used to cook him spicy food as a child – apparently, he never liked
it then either!
I also provide companionship for my householder. He loves music and he often talks about
the swinging 60s and listens to music from that time. I knew nothing about that era before,
so I researched it and discovered all about it!
We share an interest in music, and when I play music through Alexa, my householder laughs
– we can share the differences from our generations.
My householder also shares memories from 60s. He used to live in the same street as
Elizabeth Taylor and I get to hear all about it which is very interesting!
I am also supported by the Share and Care Homeshare team. Share and Care Homeshare
are really good people, and take time to listen. If I ever have a question or an issue, I get a
really quick reply. There is always someone there if a problem happens which is comforting,
and every month I receive an email asking how we are.”
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