OLDER people could share their house with a student under a new scheme in Oxford launched today.

The homeshare programme, spearheaded locally by Age UK Oxfordshire, will see pensioners who want to stay in their own homes into old age and have spare rooms buddied up with young professionals and students.

They can rent the rooms for half their market value but must help their landlords out with some daily tasks in the process.

The pilot scheme is one of two announced today, the other in London, and is backed by Lloyds Bank Foundation and the Big Lottery Fund, which is putting up £2m in total.

Lloyds Bank Foundation chose Age UK Oxfordshire to launch the scheme in Oxford.

Age UK Oxfordshire chief executive Paul Cann said: “We’re really excited because it’s a win for an old person who wants to stay in their own home for longer, enjoying their neighbourhood, and having a little bit of company and a little bit of help around the house.

“It’s a win for a younger person who doesn’t have much income but needs to live in Oxford within striking distance of work.”

Age UK will advertise the scheme and carefully vet and match people who sign up. For more on the scheme visit their website.