The Highland Companion Project
Hello, and welcome. My name is Graeme Walker, the founder of The Highland Companion Project, which I set up to address two important issues: firstly, the increasing problem of isolation and loneliness among our seniors and elders in the Highland region, and secondly, the lack of affordable accommodation for those from the rural Highlands and Islands who wish to study in Inverness part time.
This project is very simple. We match older folks who have a spare room and who would like some company and practical help around the house with trustworthy, vetted, mature and part time students from the rural Highland area and Western Isles.
This service is free for everyone. No admin fee to join. No rent expected or given. See it as an exchange programme where a bed for a night or two a week is swapped for a bit of help around the house.
How It Works
Write to us using the below form.
We will add you to our list and set about matching you, which we will do by email introduction.
You can then make arrangements with the other party.
Senior Form
Fill in this form if you’re a senior with a room to offer
Student Form
Fill in this form if you’re a practical, reliable, trustworthy student from the rural Highlands or Western Isles in need of a room for a couple of nights a week.
Info & Terms
The Highland Companion Project (HCP) is a volunteer run, free to use matching service that connects Seniors with Students for the sole purpose of free exchange, hospitality, mutual support and companionship. It is not a dating site.
HCP is only available for (1.) those living in and around the Inverness area who have a room to offer in exchange for a day or two per week with help around the house or (2.) students living in rural mainland Scottish Highlands or Western Isles who are studying part time in Inverness and need somewhere to sleep for a few nights each week in exchange for some practical help. Applications from outwith these criteria will not be accepted.
HCP does not offer or promote carer services. We do not accept applications written by anyone other than the person who wishes to participate. If you are in need of real care, for example if you have significant mobility or health problems, fill in the form anyway - just be aware that we might not be able to help you (we’ll let you know either way).
HCP is a completely free service meaning that Seniors and Students engage in free exchange with zero monetary transaction taking place. If you are being asked for money, you should report it here.
HCP vets all participants before offering introductory emails. Submitting either of the above forms means that you accept this and all the above terms. We may contact you by email if we need more info. While we will do our best to make sure we only introduce you to good people, the reality of the world is that we cannot guarantee that a bad apple won’t slip through the net. Please make sure you are of sufficient mind and body to protect yourselves, and are fully cognisant of the potential consequences of meeting strangers and inviting them into your home, or entering into the home of a stranger. This goes for seniors and students. Always meet people in public first to make sure everything is ok. Tell someone what you’re doing. Stay safe.
HCP only offers introductions, after which we offer no further services or ongoing support (although we will do our best to try to help where we can). We will only send out emails inviting you to connect with someone we think you’ll match once the right person has joined. Otherwise you won’t hear from us. We will never spam you or give your information away to a third party.
This service is very lightweight and is likely not suitable for everyone. That being said, for those who are spirited and just a little courageous, we do not doubt the potential here for the betterment of everyone, for wonderful, lasting connections and the overall improvement of our communities and access to education.
