Facing a lonely Winter - How Homeshare can be a lifeline for older people
As we approach another winter, Age UK has issued a powerful warning: millions of older people across the UK are bracing for a season of loneliness, hardship, and fear. For many, this time of year is not just cold, it’s isolating. Rising costs, shrinking support networks, and the physical and emotional toll of living alone are pushing countless older people to breaking point.
10/31/20251 min read
According to Age UK’s latest research, a staggering number of older adults are:
Going days without speaking to anyone
Worried about heating their homes
Struggling to manage day-to-day tasks
Feeling invisible and anxious about their future
This is not just a seasonal concern, it’s a year-round crisis.
At Homeshare North East, we see these struggles every day. And we’re here to offer a different path.
Homeshare: A Human Response to a Growing Problem
Homeshare is a simple but life-changing model. We match older people who are living alone and would benefit from a bit of help and company, with someone who needs affordable accommodation and is happy to provide around 10 hours a week of support.
That support could include:
Making meals or helping with shopping
Tackling light housework or errands
Providing companionship and conversation
Simply being a reassuring presence at home
It’s a mutual, supportive relationship that helps people stay independent, safe, and socially connected, especially during the hardest seasons.
For many older people, a warm meal and a warm presence can be the difference between just coping and truly living. Homeshare not only reduces loneliness but can ease the emotional and practical strain that winter brings. For families, it provides peace of mind. For communities, it strengthens intergenerational bonds.
Homeshare is already well-established and working across the UK and internationally. At Homeshare North East, we’re proud to deliver this trusted model locally, with a strong focus on safety, trust and support.
This winter, if you know someone who:
Lives alone
Is finding daily life harder
Could benefit from company and gentle help
Please tell them about Homeshare. It could be exactly what they need, not just for winter, but for life.
