We founded Cohabitas in 2016 after a casual conversation about our parents and how lonely they were, having each lost their partner.

We realised that life can be challenging for people living alone and that having someone else around the house would not only be better for them but also for us, their main carers - helping them to remain healthy and living independently. Wouldn't it be good if there was someone there to say good morning to, occasionally walk to the shops with or to share a comment about the news of the day, when we couldn't be there?

In addition we had our own experiences of living alone and living with friends or family in our 40s and 50s, and realised that it wasn't only in older age that living with other people is better. Whilst the peace and quiet of your own place can be enjoyable for short periods, it's more fun, cheaper and less lonely having someone else to share with.

So we set up Cohabitas.com to provide a platform for mature adults aged over 45, to help them find other people also interested in sharing, to find properties adapted or designed for sharing, as well as to provide the information and resources needed to encourage them to think it's not only desirable but possible.

18 months on and with all of our own money invested we want to expand the service. That's where donations come in. Whilst we have around 500 people a month register to find a room or to offer a room in their house, it's not a service needed or wanted by everyone - typically they are aged 45-74, renting privately and divorced, separated or bereaved. That might not be your situation, but you might think it's a good idea for other people and like to help us build up this service.

Any support you can give is welcome, but our aim is to raise around £10,000 - enough to fund our operations and to publicise the service more widely on Facebook and Google Adwords for a whole year. More people aware of the service means we'll create a bigger community and then the service becomes more and more useful.

Thank you. Nick & Eva.

It’s Better Living Together!