A handy person to have around the home
Elderly and disabled people in South Staffordshire
can now call on their own Handy man, or Handy woman, to carry out
minor repairs or improvements around the home. From replacing tap
washers to fitting door chains, the Countywide Handyperson Service
aims to assist people who want to live independently.
The service is being backed by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue
Service and Staffordshire Supporting People.
It's available to people aged over 55 or disabled people of any
age, who either own their home or are a tenant responsible for
repairs.
What does it cost?
The service is NOT free, but the cost of
any particular job will be stated before any work is carried out.
There is no charge for just visiting to assess the work and there
is no obligation to have any work carried out.
Any materials used will, in most cases, have to be paid for by the
householder, but they will be obtained by the Handyperson doing the
job and brought to the property.
What kind of work can the service carry out?
This is just a small selection of jobs
that the Handyperson can carry out:
• Changing tap washers and unblocking sinks
• Fitting door chains, bolts and locks
• Fitting curtain rails and curtains
• Fitting shelves, mirrors, pictures
• Laying and repairing small areas of
flooring
• Moving and assembling small pieces of
furniture
• Easing doors and windows
• Simple furniture repairs
• Moving furniture for easier access
• Changing light bulbs
• Replacing small panes of glass
• Fitting cat flaps
• Replacing WC seats
• Replacing ball valves
• Small joinery work
• Fitting draught excluders
• Fitting grab rails
• Fitting key safes
• Fitting lever taps
Priorities
Priority will be given to work that
reduces risk of injury or risk to health and improves
security around the home.
Home Fire Risk Check
Working in partnership with the Fire
Service they will carry out home fire risk checks. This includes
fitting smoke detectors and, if necessary, replacing chip
pans with deep fat fryers and replacing old electric blankets. They
will also supply low energy light bulbs. This service and any
equipment supplied is free.
What can't the Handyperson service do?
It is not possible to do repairs to gas
or electrical appliances; wiring; complex or large plumbing jobs;
any tasks that are above step ladder height; work that is too large
for the service or that the Handyperson assesses as a risk to
themselves or others.
Home Improvement Agencies
In addition to the Countywide Handyperson Service, there are
various agencies which help people repair, improve and adapt their
homes to enable them to live there with greater independence,
safety, security, and warmth. They have skilled caseworkers,
technical staff and handy persons who will help you through the
whole process from small work to large disabled adaptations and
many other types of work. They also offer advice and can refer you
to more appropriate organisations, if necessary.
Contact Information
To contact the Handyperson service or to get details of other Home
Improvement Agencies:
Call:
0800 587 1460 (Free)
E-mail:
hiainfo@aol.com
or write to:
Home Improvement
Agency
3rd Floor
Civic Centre
Riverside
Stafford
ST16 3AQ
The Handyperson Service is supported and funded by the following
organisations:
• Staffordshire Supporting People
• Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
The Countywide Handyperson service is provided by the
Alliance of Home Improvement Agencies in Staffordshire