The over 60s and those of any age with disabilities can have minor household repair jobs done at a reduced rate by South Gloucestershire Council’s Handy Van service. The idea is to help people maintain their properties so that they can enjoy living independently for as long as possible.
One Downend resident was particularly pleased. Brian Smith, 77, usually does most little repair jobs around the house himself, but when his tap started to leak it was of a type that he just couldn’t budge. He’d heard about the Handy Van service through the local Senior Citizens’ Forum and called them in.
“As well as repairing the tap with the minimum of fuss they also gave advice about general home safety and security. They noticed, for example, that my door bolt was a bit weak and I didn’t have a security chain on the door. The Handy Van service fit all these things free of charge. They even showed me the best way to mend my extractor fan, something I’d been puzzled by for a while. I can’t praise them highly enough. The chap who came to see me was friendly, efficient and the price, just £30 for all that, was very fair.”
The Handy Van service is available to do a wide range of small jobs around the house – the sort of jobs that will take less than three hours. Labour is charged at a subsidised rate. Materials are charged for as necessary.
They can carry out:
Odd jobs around the home, such as:
- fitting curtain rails
- hanging pictures,
- laying floor coverings
- moving furniture within the property
Plumbing jobs, such as:
- taps
- washers
- leaks
- blocked sinks
Carpentry jobs, such as:
- door repairs
- putting up shelves
- fixing sash cords
- assembling flat packs
- window repairs
General building work, such as:
- gutter cleaning
- fixing slabs and cracks in paths
- pointing and plaster repairs
- washing lines
- fencing
In addition to that, the Handy Van service offers a free home security and safety check and, where necessary, will fit free door and window locks, door chains and door viewers, and supply free low energy light bulbs.
Cllr Matthew Riddle, executive member for community care and housing, said: “The Handy Van service is intended to help older people maintain their homes and, by doing so, maintain their independence in properties that are secure and well cared for. So now they no longer need to put off those little jobs that can need doing.”
To contact the Handy Van service call 01454863 857.
Photo: (L-R) Cllr Matthew Riddle, Jeff Hall and local resident Brian Smith with South Gloucestershire Council’s Handy Van.
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
