Berwick Borough Small Small Tasks and Repair Service

Are you aged 60 years or over or in receipt of Disability Living Allowance?

Would you like help with small tasks and repairs FREE of Charge?

Examples of the free work we will do:

• Replacing tap washers
• Fixing curtain rails
• Replacing light bulbs
• Replacing smoke detector batteries
• Hanging curtains
• Maknig safe existing floor coverings

Don't miss out, Telephone today 01670351135.

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Free handyman service starts for the elderly

A free handyman service for the elderly and disabled people starts in Berwick Borough this week.

Barrie Simpson, who has a wealth of experience, has been appointed to tackle small tasks and repairs which will allow the less to maintain their properties and continue living in their own homes in comfort and security.

The project, which will run initially for one year, has been developed by Northumberland Care Trust’s Falls Collaborative and Berwick Borough Council with grant from the Social Care Performance Fund.

Anyone over 60 or in receipt of disability allowance can benefit.

Falls Collaborative project manager Jane Steven explained: “examples of help that can be provided include changing light bulbs, fixing shelves or a dripping tap, clearing paths, installing smoke alarms and curtain rails. Although these are relatively small tasks, they can make a world of difference to the quality of life of older people and their ability to have fun and to continue to lead active and independent lives”.

It is part of an initiative to reduce the number of injuries suffered by elderly people through accidents in the home. Over 400,000 older people in England attend A & E departments following n accident and over 75 per cent of deaths due to fall occur in the home environment.

Jane added: “We are thrilled that we are able to offer this service in Berwick Borough. A similar scheme has been running very successfully in Blyth for two years. We know that older people frequently take risks in their home which could lead to injury, often because there is no one available to help. A housing survey in Belford found minor household repairs high on the list of requirements of older people”.

Referrals can be made by individuals or professionals. If you want any repairs or tasks carried out, please phone (01670) 351135 to arrange an appointment.

Do you have a job for Barrie?

The Berwick Borough Small Tasks and Repair Service is beginning to take off but handyman Barry Simpson wants more!

Barrie has carried out more than 100 jobs over the past two months under the scheme, which offers his services free to anyone in Berwick borough over the age of 60 or receiving disability living allowance.

The work involves small jobs which most of us would take for granted but can be difficult for older or disabled people – for instance hanging curtains, replacing light bulbs or smoke detector batteries, changing tap washers.

Barrie said it was a ‘use it, or lose it’ situation for the service: “the scheme kicked off in January, to run for 12 months until the end of December, when it will be assessed. If there is enough work it will probably carry on. “It really didn’t take off until about the middle of February, when word began to get around. We’re still making people aware that this service is out there for them and it’s totally free”.

He added: “everybody I have been to so far thinks it’s tremendous. A lot of them cannot climb steps and they think it’s great they can just call on someone for help”.

This week one of Barrie’s jobs was fitting new curtains for Rita Curry, aged 90, of Henderson Court.

Rita, the former matron at Berwick Infirmary, heard about the scheme when a neighbour brought home a leaflet she had picked up at Berwick Borough Council offices. She said: “I think it’s wonderful because the curtain rails are far too high for older people to get to”.

Another satisfied customer is Muriel Grey, 79, of Anchor Flats in Seahouses, for whom Barrie has mended a drawer and put up new curtain rails. She said: “he always does an excellent job and is so cheerful and friendly. I have been promoting him to all the older people in the village”.

The small tasks service and repairs service is run from Blyth, where a similar scheme has been running successfully for three years, in partnership with Berwick Borough Council and crime reduction partnership, Northumberland County Council and Care Trust, Northumbria Police and Warmzone. For more information, or to request Barrie’s services, call (01670) 351135.