3rd April 2019
Elizabeth Mills (pictured at the recent 6th World Homeshare Congress in Brussels) has been Honorary Director of Homeshare International since 2007; she will remain on the board of the charity as Deputy Chair, to support the new partnership with Shared Lives Plus
It is with great pleasure that we announce that Homeshare International and Shared Lives Plus have partnered to continue and develop the work that Homeshare International has been undertaking so effectively for the last twenty years. Homesharing has been in the news a lot recently, reflecting its growth across the world. This is in no small measure due to the joint efforts of Homeshare International and its worldwide network, and Homeshare UK with the support of Shared Lives Plus, the UK network for shared living.
Homeshare International has supported the development of homesharing programmes in 17 different countries around the world; the charity has stimulated and undertaken research into the need for and impact of homesharing both for older householders and younger homesharers. The biennial World Homeshare Congress – now in its 10th year – was developed by Homeshare International.
Shared Lives Plus is committed to Homeshare UK – and now Homeshare International. Over the last three years, Lloyds Bank Foundation and Big Lottery Fund have each invested £1m to expand Homeshare in the UK by funding and evaluating several local Homeshare pilots. The Homeshare Programme brought funders Lloyds Bank Foundation and Big Lottery Fund together with Age UK, Shared Lives Plus, Foyer Federation and The Social Care Institute for Excellence to create a sustainable operating model for homesharing in the UK. Homeshare International was a consultant in the establishment of these pilots.
Alex Fox OBE, Chief Executive of Shared Lives Plus, said, “A working partnership with Homeshare International is a natural development for us. We are honoured to form this partnership with Homeshare International, building on years of its ground-breaking work. We will be consulting with all Homeshare International’s stakeholders and actively seeking funding to expand and develop Homeshare International’s support for homesharing around the globe.”
Elizabeth Mills OBE, Honorary Director of Homeshare International, said, “I am delighted and proud to welcome this development; after 12 years at the helm of Homeshare International, it is time to step down. I know that the injection of ideas, enthusiasm and professionalism that will come from the team at Shared Lives Plus will transform homesharing across the world, and make a real difference to thousands of older people who are at risk of loneliness, at the same time helping to tackle the spiralling costs of rental property for the young.”
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For further information please contact Elizabeth Mills on 07970 742062 or email hi@homeshare.org or Phoebe Rowell on 07392 313500 or email phoebe@sharedlivesplus.org.uk