SHARING WITH FRIENDS
Five friends decide they want to live quietly and happily together in retirement in affordable purpose-built homes near to each other, living independent daily lives and also sharing each other’s company – but at times THEY choose.
With the help of the Foundation Workshop series, they develop a set of rules and responsibilities for sharing expenses, having visitors, pets, etc and importantly, how their investment may be recouped if and when they leave the group. They make a formal agreement with each other.
They consult with the Foundation’s architect to choose the design of their homes and gardens (within limited available options).
The Foundation’s financial counsellors assist them to develop budgets and strategies.
The Foundation’s legal team has developed a location and cost appropriate form of title.
Independent units – separate OR joined
Common ownership of land & shared equity
Shared facilities
Purposeful design to foster community
Intentional community with shared values
Looking like a regular suburban house from the street, Sharing with Friends has been designed as an affordable, safe, secure home for five older women to live privately and with dignity as they age.
The key element of the design is to incorporate essential elements – one’s own kitchen, bedroom, a landscaped courtyard, and privacy.
The central garden pavilion allows for a convivial space for sharing cups of tea, late afternoon drinks, home theatre and a shared meal, if so inclined.
Each unit has its own private, lock-up one bedroom unit with living area, kitchen and bathroom and a private courtyard.
The front deck opens onto an attractively landscaped common garden area. The garden pavilion has a shared laundry, entertainment space, kitchen, and toilet. And there is a garden shed.
Designed for an 800m² block, and placed close to public transport, shops and medical facilities, the residence incorporates all the universal design guidelines for ageing in place-wide doorways, on the ground, wheelchair access etc.
Over a cup of tea, our free & friendly workshops cover a range of topics allowing participants to develop their understanding of what is involved in the general idea of co-housing and specifics of the Sharing with Friends model.
They are open to all-comers, co-hosted by Sharing with Friends’ Secretary Anne Landsberg and Adrienne Irvine two experienced workshop presenters. Other volunteer experts in legal, property, financial, eligibility for government assistance, and co-living are invited to present throughout the series of 12.
Over time, the workshops also allow participants to test the implications of sharing, cooperation, and co-living. The informal setting allows groups smaller than five to get to meet and determine whether joining up in a co-housing situation with like-minded people is worth pursuing.
The Foundation’s directors are dedicated to assisting older women to find suitable homes where they can age in place. There is no obligation to sign up to Sharing with Friends. Various affordable housing options will also be canvassed.
Register your interest to join us at a workshop.
Albion Peace Centre - 102 McDonald Rd, Windsor QLD 4030
Further information: 0497 931 272
Listen firsthand to the thoughts of participants.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Susan Davies
Anne Landsberg
Ross Landsberg
Susan Hocking
Ian Mackie
Sallyanne Atkinson
Maggie Shambrook
The Foundation is an incorporated Association established in 2021. We are in the process of registering with the Australian Charities for not-for-profit Commission ACNC as a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI).The Foundation grew out of and has the support of Zonta International, a business and professional women’s organisation dedicated to improving the status of women and girls throughout the world.
Founding president and a member of Zonta International District 22 Advocacy committee and Zonta’s representative on the Housing for Older Women (HOW) Movement. Susan has a background in communications, advocacy, fund-raising and law reform. She worked as a journalist with The Sunday Mail, as a public relations consultant with her own firm and a fund-raiser with Karuna Hospice Services.
Anne has had a successful and varied career in Social Work and Tribunals for more than 40 years. She is a member of the Zonta Club of Brisbane (Inc). Anne’s experience includes Family Court, Immigration, 5years as head of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal Queensland, a consultancy in Emotional Intelligence and 20 years on the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
Ross is a consultant to Minter Ellison, having previously been a partner for more than 30 years. In his professional career, Ross acted for both Government and the private sector in the commercial aspects of large infrastructure projects with particular expertise in risk analysis, global procurement and diverse project delivery methods.
Ross is active in pro bono work, particularly as part of Minter Ellison’s community investment program and also participates in mentoring programs run by the University of Queensland and business schools, with his mentee in the MBA program being awarded ‘mentee of the year’ in 2019.
Ross is an experienced company director, having served on Minter Ellison’s international board for a number of years, and a number of infrastructure companies. Ross is also on the management committee of Uni of QLD’s International House residential college.
Send us a message if you have any questions and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.