Handyperson Tasks

Accident Prevention

What does the service provide?

The Accident Prevention scheme aims to help older people in danger of having accidents, such as falls, in their own homes.

Once you are accepted to the scheme our Accident Prevention Handyperson will make an appointment to visit your home. He will complete a basic safety assessment and carry out any work that can be done at the time. This includes:

fitting grab rails in bathrooms, in toilets, at front and back doors
making carpets safe
making telephone cables safe.

If thought necessary a referral will be made to other agencies.

We are sorry, we do not do stair rails or exterior handrails along paths or sloping ramps - this can be done by social services.

Eligibility

People aged 60+
Harrow residents only

Referrals can also be made by a carer, relative, friend or neighbour worried about an older person falling, as well as by professional workers.

No Charge

There is no charge for either materials or labour. Donations, though, are welcome.

Handyperson Scheme

This scheme helps older people in Harrow with non-emergency DIY jobs in their homes at a reasonable cost. The work is undertaken by experienced handypeople. They can for example:

cure your dripping tap
put up a shelf
fit a curtain rail
assemble small pieces of flat pack furniture.

Eligibility

Any person aged 60+.
Any person 50+ who has a long-term illness or chronic disability.
All users must be resident in Harrow.

What is the cost?

The following costs apply:

£20 per hour (minimum charge £20)
plus cost of materials
plus Handyperson's mileage at 45 pence per mile if more than one visit is required.

Job limit: 4 hours maximum to complete task(s).

Payment should be made on completion of the job by cash or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Age Concern Harrow.

Contact?

Each handyperson usually only works for about 1/2 day a week. It may therefore be a week or so before you are contacted by the person who will do your work.

Small Household Tasks

We can find you a volunteer to help with small tasks around the house. These include:

Changing light bulbs.
Taking down or hanging curtains.
Easing stiff locks.
Fitting a smoke detector.
Fitting a door chain or viewer.

Tasks are carried out by refereed volunteers who carry a photo identity card.

Eligibility

If there is a small task around the house that you feel unable to undertake contact us on: 020 8861 7988 and:

You must live in Harrow and be over 60.
You must agree to notify the office of any change in arrangements.

You must agree to respect our equal opportunities policy.

Will I have to pay?

Labour is provided free of charge by our volunteers. Normally we would ask you to pay for or provide any parts or materials that are needed. If this is difficult for you, please speak to us about this in confidence.

Further Information:

For further information call the Handyperson Project Manager on 020 8861 7980. You are also welcome to write to us (Our contact details).

The manager will make contact as soon as possible if he/she is not in the office when you call.