Wesley Mission Melbourne: Services: Aged Care

Wesley Homeshare is based on a recognition that most people want to live in their own home for as long as possible.

The program matches older householders and householders with a disability, who are looking for help and companionship around the home, with people of integrity who are able to provide this assistance in return for affordable accommodation.

The householder provides a bedroom and shared facilities. In exchange, the companion provides approximately 10 hours per week of practical assistance such as cooking, cleaning, shopping and gardening, as well as the added security of having someone else sleeping in the home.

Wesley Homeshare news

Find out more about Wesley Disability Homeshare

Read about Wesley Homeshare’s best ever year of match making in our 2006 – 2007 Annual Report

Read about the Wesley Homeshare MUST GROW campaign

Information for Homesharers »
Find out more about Wesley Homeshare for homesharers.
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Information for Householders »
Find out more about Wesley Homeshare for householders.
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Read about the national reaction to the Wesley Homeshare story that featured on the ABC's 7.30 Report in December 2006 in the February 2007 edition of our Action newsletter.

Read about Wesley Homeshare's study tour of shared housing projects in England and the United States in the October 2006 edition of our Action newsletter.

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Some of the current Wesley Homeshare opportunities are listed below (minimum commitment 6 months). For more information, please Contact Us.

Brighton
Free accommodation is offered by a bright, intelligent older lady in exchange for some assistance around the house such as cooking some meals, putting the bins out, some shopping, watering plants etc, plus some company and the security of someone sleeping in the house overnight.
Comfortable accommodation in lovely home. Great area, close to public transport and shops.

Caulfield
A bright and intelligent 81 year old lady is offering free accommodation in exchange for some assistance with a few chores and the security of someone sleeping in the house overnight. She is well traveled, enjoys her garden and takes a keen interest in current affairs. This position is ideal for a student or working person who wants a quiet place to study in a homely atmosphere. Very close to Caulfield Monash campus, near shops and public transport.

Hawthorn
Free accommodation is offered by a bright and friendly man in his 80s in exchange for some assistance such as putting out bins, picking up shopping, helping in the garden and the security of having someone in the house overnight. Loves his cat, has lots of interests, including gardening and music. Would like someone who could also help with his computer but not essential. Good company for a caring, student or working person who wants quiet and comfortable accommodation.

Cheltenham
A delightful and active older woman who enjoys music, reading and painting is looking for a homesharer. She requires some company, and help with small tasks around the house in exchange for free accommodation in a comfortable home. Occasional outings together would be a bonus. Garage available. Good public transport and not far from shops.

For more information about these Homesharing opportunities, please Contact Us.

Tom & Jenny
Mid eighties War veteran Tom is a ‘new man’ since Wesley Homeshare matched him with 30 year old Jenny from China, according to his son. Tom visits his wife in a nearby nursing home daily but was finding the evenings at home lonely and quite depressing. Jenny has come from China to do her Masters in Education. She loved the sound of the homeshare program when she read about it on Wesley’s website and was keen to share with an older, local person. Jenny and Tom have really ‘clicked’! They share a great sense of humour and Tom is not only enjoying having Jenny around and cooking lovely meals but he is driving her to Uni nearly everyday and loving being able to help her.
Tom and Jenny are match number 125 for the Wesley Homeshare program and just one of many wonderful stories of rewarding, intergenerational, inter-cultural, mutually beneficial relationships.

Tom & Diane
After his wife passed away, Tom moved from Western Australia to Melbourne to be closer to his family. However, like many older people in the community, the active and sociable retired teacher disliked living alone. After calling Wesley Homeshare he was matched with Diane, a student nurse who was attending a nearby TAFE. Diane became a support for Tom around the home, and Tom helped Diane with her studies. Even their dogs, Jerry and Crunchie, became the best of friends.

Bernice & Malcolm
Bernice, a widow, was matched with Malcolm, a Masters of Accounting graduate from Monash Uni, 4 years ago when Malcolm moved here from Singapore. They enjoy cooking together and listening to classical music. Bernice calls Malcolm her “eyes and ears”.

Shannon & Marjory
Shannon moved in to share Marjory's home a few months ago and both are enjoying their new living arrangements. "Shannon is lovely to have in the house," says Marjorie. "She wants to cook all the time and my house has never been so tidy." Shannon is also rapt with the arrangement, "I wanted to move out of home and study at university, so money was tight." she said. Shannon is enjoying the homely atmosphere of living with an older person.

Establishment of the Homeshare Australia Alliance

Representatives from eight organisations who are developing or hoping to develop Homeshare programs in five states and the ACT attended a National Homeshare Roundtable in December 2006 and agreed to a set of principles for a national Homeshare model to be promoted throughout Australia.

This group has formed the Homeshare Australia Alliance with the aim of achieving recognition and acceptance of Homeshare as a valid program in the aged care system. Read more about the Alliance here.

Wesley Mission Melbourne hosted the first National Homeshare Workshop in November 2004. Nearly 40 participants from six regions discussed the feasibility of expanding Homeshare from Victoria and NSW to all states and territories.

Read the report: "Proceedings of Australia's First National Homeshare Workshop" Includes discussion notes from break-out groups, resolution/action statements and background papers.
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Click here to find out more about Homeshare on the Homeshare International website.
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Wesley Homeshare
Office location
Nicholas Hall
148 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Postal address
Locked Bag 8
A'Beckett St PO
Melbourne VIC 8006

Phone: (03) 9666 1231
Fax: (03) 9666 1236
Email: homeshare@wesley.org.au