Do Good in Brentwood: ‘Welcome students from Japan into your home this winter’

Time to dig out the jumpers from the loft and get the fire on to keep out the evening chill.

This month, I have the perfect opportunity to do good if you have a cosy and caring home you would be willing to open up to someone else for a couple of weeks in the New Year.

Brentwood business owner Simon Essex is helping Cultural Homestay in Europe to find families willing to welcome a student from Japan into their home in January.

The typical hosting period is seven to 14 days.

If you've got a family already and have space for another young person in your home for a couple of weeks, this could be a really good opportunity for you to embrace another culture for a fortnight and help someone new to the area.

Simon's business Absolute Appointments was created after he discovered how much he enjoyed helping people to be the best they can be. If you meet him, you'll understand why - he's friendly and enthusiastic and everything you'd want from someone offering career support and guiding your next step.

He prides himself on the personal touch, which I'm guessing has led him to offer to help in this scheme.

Payment is given to families who host, so it's also a nice way of earning a little extra cash, and many of the families and students who spend time together end up being lifelong friends.

So if you've got kids who have been desperate for a penpal for a while, this could be the perfect solution!

To be considered, you'll need to be able to offer the following to the student:

- A warm welcome into your home like they're one of the family, including them in family activities and meals.

- Meeting and dropping them off when the arrive and when they leave. You'll also need to get them to their study centre on their first day.

- A suitable bedroom with adequate lighting with storage space and room to work.

- Dinner and a packed lunch every day.

If you're interested in finding out more, please contact Simon on 07841 020 197 or email

info@culturalhomestay.com.

Families are needed by November for a January visitor.