The council’s handyperson service carries out simple jobs around the home such as fitting smoke alarms, changing lightbulbs and unblocking sinks. It helps people to live safely and independently in their own homes.
It is available up to three times a year to all non-working residents aged over 60; as well as to carers, single parents on benefits, and disabled or vulnerable residents. The labour is free and all you have to do is pay for the materials.
The handyperson service’s contractors have carried out a number of jobs at John Power’s house in Northolt, including grab rails in his bathroom and next to his garden steps (see picture above), towel rails and a coat hook. ‘Risers’ on the feet of his favourite armchair also help him to sit down and get up from it, and his toilet seat has been raised up for the same reasons.
‘It is helping me to stay here in my home’
Mr Power (pictured above), 84, said he first contacted the service after being told about it by a neighbour who had read about it in Around Ealing.
He said: “In the past I used to go across to a neighbour’s home to replace lightbulbs for him but now I need that help myself. I struggle with things like that.
“I would recommend the service. It is helping me to stay here in my home. I can get out of my chair in one go instead of three or four; and the rails in the garden make a lot of difference because I’m out in the garden all the time and I need to grab them with both hands.”
‘You can have peace of mind’
Councillor Binda Rai, the council’s cabinet member for health and adults’ services, said: “We want to help people live safely and independently in their homes for as long as possible
and using our service means you can have peace of mind that someone experienced, trustworthy and reliable will be doing the work. They carry out jobs that might be difficult for people to do themselves. Even small things such as securing a loose piece of carpet might make it less likely someone will have an accident.
“By helping carers, too, it allows them do what they do best without the added pressure of trying to do the work themselves.”
Requesting help
To request a visit, call 020 8825 6070 and select option 1.
