Share and Care Homeshare was established in 2006 to address a growing need for affordable companionship and practical help. Share and Care is the leading provider of homeshare across the UK and offers help to older people, families and adults with disabilities, across London and throughout mainland UK.
We are a Community Interest Company [CIC] with a commitment to deliver our service for the benefit of the community. We are members of Homeshare UK and are fully compliant with its Quality Assurance Framework; by using Share and Care Homeshare you can be assured that you will experience a high quality, and yet personal, service.
While there are many options for people needing personal care, few help to alleviate loneliness and give the on-going companionship that sharing a home can give. Homeshare is an affordable solution offering practical help and support which can typically be very expensive if sought through separate channels.
Share and Care is committed to offering an affordable, personal and professional service. Our Sharers are matched as closely as possible with our Householders to ensure that a friendship and mutual respect can develop, while also ensuring that safeguards exist. We are proud that our clients reward us by recommending us and, whilst we are keen to grow and promote the concept of homeshare across the UK, we are also committed to ensuring we maintain our high standards of giving personal attention and support to all our clients.
We have recently published a report “Our Story So Far” which highlights our work.
About Caroline Cooke – Founder, Director and Dementia Friends Champion
Prior to founding Share and Care Homeshare, Caroline established and ran a nanny agency; “Years of recruiting nannies, as well as 14+ years of running a homeshare service, has given me a wealth of experience in matching different characters and their varied needs. I also have a personal understanding of Dementia and how it can affect a family and have trained as a Dementia Friends Champion to help people understand what it is like to live with Dementia. This allow me to run information sessions for family members and Sharers which cover the key messages that we want everyone to know about Dementia.”
Amanda Clarke – Director and Safeguarding Lead for Share and Care Homeshare
Amanda joined in 2012. ” I ran my own business overseas after many years in senior management roles in the UK. My international experience taught me to fully research the needs of my clients and understand their cultures. In addition, I recruited, vetted and managed large teams in the UK. I therefore not only recognise the importance of finding the right people to become Sharers, but also understand the importance of having a stringent safeguarding procedure in place. I have completed the SCIE Safeguarding Adults Course and a Mental Health Awareness course. Homeshare is a really beneficial concept and I feel privileged to be helping both people who require some support to remain independent in their own homes as well as giving others an affordable way to live” Amanda sat on the Board of Trustees of Shared Lives Plus from June 2017-2020 to represent Homeshare within the Shared Lives Plus organisation.
About Nicky Dadswell – Homeshare Co-ordinator
Nicky joined Share and Care in September 2018. Nicky’s previous experience includes working in the Employment sector and, more recently, working as a Marketing Assistant in the Food Service sector. “I was drawn to Share and Care as its homeshare scheme is so valuable to elderly people who want to stay in their own homes. Having a mother with Dementia, I can empathise and see how beneficial homeshare is to the whole family. It is lovely to be able to help people and offer peace of mind.”
About Sharon Needham – Partnership Development Lead
Sharon joined Share and Care Homeshare in 2020. ‘’I have spent much of my working life within Retail and established my own Company to help build and nurture strong partnerships between suppliers and high street brands. I then moved into the charity sector a few years ago. My experience working with the injured servicemen and women at Help for Heroes, coupled with caring for my Father during his two strokes and then caring for my Mother when she developed Dementia, brought home how important it is to have support. I wasn’t aware Homeshare even existed back then……I only wish I had. What a tremendous help a Sharer would have been to us all. I am now determined to help the team at Share and Care spread the ‘Homeshare Word’ and make as many people aware of this great service as I can. It really can change lives for all involved.
Homeshare is a growing sector of Shared Lives Plus. The Homeshare UK website www.HomeshareUK.org was launched in November 2016 providing online information for potential participants and an online shared portal for network members working across the UK and ROI.
Homeshare UK is striving to become recognised as a sustainable model for housing and social care by enabling participants to enjoy a fulfilling community based living experience. Homeshare UK promotes a Quality Assurance Framework
