As we celebrate Homeshare Week 2024, we share Doreen’s story to highlight how Homeshare transforms lives.
Doreen never married and spent most of her life living with her mum and brother. After they passed away, she found herself completely alone. With no immediate family to turn to, Doreen became increasingly isolated.
This changed when she met Debbie, her paid caregiver. Over time, Debbie and Doreen became close friends, with Debbie inviting Doreen to parties and outings. Even though Debbie was like family to Doreen, she still worried about her being alone at night.
That’s when Debbie discovered the Homeshare programme which is run locally by PossAbilities, a social enterprise supporting vulnerable people. She felt that Homeshare, with its balance of support and companionship, could be the perfect solution for Doreen. It would give her the care she needed without sacrificing her independence. Doreen loved the idea.
Over the years, Doreen welcomed several homesharers into her home. One of them was Anouk, a young woman from France. The two became great friends, sharing many happy moments. Even after Anouk moved back to France, they stayed in touch, and Anouk continued sharing updates about her life, including the news of her pregnancy.
Sadly, last year, Doreen became terminally ill. When Anouk heard the news, she travelled from France to visit her. Former Homeshare staff members Ruth and Mathilde also visited. Debbie and her family continued to support Doreen during her final days and Doreen appreciated all the visits from her friends during this time.
Claire, who works at PossAbilities, also got to know Doreen well. “She touched the lives of many and formed strong relationships with everyone at PossAbilities. Doreen was a true inspiration. We all have fond memories, like when she played the Queen during the Jubilee celebrations.”
Doreen even travelled to Madrid with Claire for a Homeshare conference – her first time abroad – where her story moved people from around the world. “Doreen was the star of the conference. Her life story inspired everyone.”
Doreen’s story shows how Homeshare can fill the gap between independence and the need for support. As we celebrate Homeshare Week, stories like Doreen’s remind us that homesharing isn’t just about care – it’s about creating lifelong friendships, building community, and ensuring no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
To find your local Homeshare provider please visit our find your provider map