WILTSHIRE Host Families is seeking more people with a spare room to host overseas students – and hosts can earn up to £272 per week.
The organisation offers foreign school groups the opportunity to visit the sights of England and experience living with local host families.
The organisation says, “At a time when inflation is rising and wage rises remain low, many people look to find ways to supplement their income. This may be working extra overtime or taking on a second job – both of which impact negatively on your free time and work life balance, not to mention the extra tax you would have you pay.
“So, is there another way perhaps? For those with a spare room the answer is yes! Wiltshire Host Families Ltd, with centres in Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham, are offering the opportunity to earn up to £272 per week – completely tax free!”
Wiltshire Host Families was established more than ten years ago and despite the difficulties caused by the recent pandemic and Brexit, the organisation has now reopened their centres.
Val Rideout, managing director and founder of Wiltshire Host Families, said, “Hosting short stay students is great fun and because each school group only stay three to four weekday nights at a time and go out every day sightseeing, it doesn’t adversely impact on your home or work life. It’s also very flexible, in that you can dip in and out to suit your circumstances taking as many or as few groups as you want, within reason. Of course, the extra money is a great bonus too!
“Bookings for next year are already flooding in, and as a result we are expanding to accommodate much larger groups. This will give more local people the opportunity to join us as hosts and supplement their incomes accordingly.”
As part of that expansion plan, Judith Laird, the Westbury coordinator, will be looking to recruit more hosts as soon as possible.
Judith said, “I’m passionate about giving the groups a great English experience and will be looking for hosts who can take a minimum of two students (maximum four) and make them feel really welcome. My role is to support the hosts, students and their teachers throughout the stay and make sure that everyone has a great time.
“We already have proven systems in place to do this and I will be visiting all the new hosts to assess their suitability, explain exactly how we work and answer any questions they may have. Once they are on our register, we will be allocating them students according to their availability and the group’s matching requirements. In fact, I will be there every step of the way with help and advice whenever needed. I can’t wait to get going in Westbury again!”
Val added, “We love the diversity of our hosts. We have single ladies, couples with or without children, single parent families and retired folk – all of different ages and from different backgrounds and cultures.
“Everyone brings a different experience to their students – and this is then shared with the school group as a whole. Although the students are only at home in the evenings, hosts can give them some great memories to take back with them. With living costs rising, there couldn’t be a better time to join Wiltshire Host Families Ltd, and earn an extra income, completely tax free!”
For more information about hosting in Wiltshire, please visit www.wiltshirehostfamilies.co.uk or call 07707 864498.
