Intro
PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME
To carry out a range of small, minor household repairs and/or simple one-off garden maintenance or clearance.
WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE?
As this is likely to prove a popular scheme in great demand, in the initial stage, and subject to review, the service will be targeted at the over 60's age group.
It will be available to anyone living within the Rochdale MBC area in either private or public housing.
Service priority will be given to older people who are:
- Housebound
- Living alone
- In Chronic ill-health
- Without support from family/friends
WHO WILL PROVIDE THE SERVICE?
Volunteers will be recruited to visit clients in their own homes to carry out the tasks.
As well as aiming to recruit volunteers who are honest, reliable and enthusiastic, they must have the basic knowledge, ability and tools for D.I.Y.
The range, the level and the number of requests which Age Concern Metro Rochdale can accept, will be limited by the number and calibre of the volunteers recruited.
WILL THERE BE A CHARGE?
Whilst the scheme is being piloted, there will be no charge for either the assessment visit, or for the volunteer to carry out the task.
Clients would be required to purchase any materials necessary for the task. They are also at liberty to make a donation to Age Concern Metro Rochdale should they wish to do so.
WHAT SORT OF JOBS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME?
Each request is subject to individual assessment and the availability of suitable volunteers, so this is not a definitive list:
- Replacing light bulbs/fuses/plugs
- Fitting door chains/spy holes
- Fitting smoke alarms
- Fitting draft excluders
- Unblocking sinks
- Changing tap warship
- Putting up curtain rails/shelves/pictures
- Renewing bath or sink sealants
- Touch-up painting
- Simple one-off garden maintenance
- Small scale garden clearance
- Minor repairs to low fences, gates and sheds
All tasks will be assessed for risks to keep in line with Health and Safety Regulations advice.
This is a brand new scheme which will be monitored and evaluated during the year ahead.
Any further developments in the scheme will take place in the light of this review.