How often have you thought, "I wish I could have a little help with some of the household jobs, but where will I find it and could I afford it?"

Well, help may be at hand in a scheme called Home Share.

Started in 1993, it is well established in the USA and in some European countries and it has been going in Brighton since 1999.

It is essentially a bartering system, where an older person (50 or over) offers to share their home with a younger person in exchange for certain well-specified tasks taking about ten working hours a week.

The home sharers must be over 25 and in full-time work or study. They are often students from overseas who can bring an extra dimension into the lives of older folk.

There is a very stringent monitoring system, since clearly the home owners are very vulnerable, but so far the system has not thrown up any insoluble problems.

Both parties are interviewed and matched up rather like a dating agency.

You want a non-smoker and an animal lover? No problem, there will be one on the books almost certainly. You would like to join a household where you could get help with your English? Come and meet Mrs X who was once a school teacher and now needs a little help with her shopping and getting her evening meal ready.

It is a personalised service and great care is taken over finding out what each of the participants wants out of the arrangement.

Rigorous vetting takes place and, of course, there have to be references, at least two of them, as well as in-depth interviews.

There are, naturally, some ground rules.

They are really no more than a courteous guest would expect if they were visiting. No phone calls without permission, no guests overnight or other visitors without first clearing it with your householder.

You don't pay money for your accommodation. That is covered by your ten hours of help, but you do pay for your food and toiletries, etc.

Many of those who have benefited from the scheme say it has been an absolute lifesaver and friendships have been forged which have endured long after the helper has gone on to other things.

Continuous monitoring takes place, so any problems are dealt with at a very early stage.

In the first instance, there is a trial period of a month when either side can ask for a change. There is training for the sharers so that they are sensitive to the needs of older people and when a home share has been agreed, there is a document setting out clearly the terms of the arrangement.

It should be clearly understood that this does not constitute a tenant's agreement, and confers no permanent right of occupancy. The costs range from £40 to £65 per month for the older person and from £20 to £35 for the younger person. This is paid to the home share organisation which is a registered charity.

It is a wonderful half-way house for those who want to stay in their own homes but are just not quite as able as they once were.

The Brighton scheme is supervised by Rebecca Louis who can be contacted on 01273 234856. There are eight others around the country.