HANDYPERSON SERVICE
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.
Home comforts
I
t 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, 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.
Mr Power, 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
Above: John Power by the grab rails in his garden
Left: John chats with Sharon from the service
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.”
To request a visit, call 020 8825 6070 and select
option 1
around ealing September 2018
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