Eden Housing Association and Eden District Council are working together to spread the word about a Handy Person Service in Eden. The service, which has been running for six years, has now widened its scope to support more Eden residents.
The Handy Person Service has been run by Eden Housing Association, with funding support from Eden District Council. It was originally launched for over 55’s, but the service now has a more flexible, eligibility criteria which means more people can ask for work to be done.
John Clasper, Chief Executive of Eden Housing Association said “We have been working with One Call Services, Penrith for six years and have had great feedback. We’ve also received funding from EDC to help us keep the cost as low as possible for customers. And we’ve engaged with home owners as well as those renting properties so we know it’s a model that is working well. By opening the service up to a wider audience, we think it will go from strength to strength.
“How often do you hear people say “I could just do with someone to fix my gate, or put up curtain rails, or even fix door handles? We know there are lots of people in Eden who need small repair jobs or tasks around the home sorting out, but it can be difficult and expensive to call someone out you don’t know. This collaboration means we can provide a trusted, skilled workforce at an affordable rate.”
The service is now available to people over 55, those receiving qualifying benefits or living with a disability, long-term ill health or life limiting illnesses. It is also available for people being discharged from hospital or households receiving support from EDC’s Housing Options Team. Referrals will be considered from staff at local registered housing providers and from other statutory or third sector support providers.
Eden District Council’s Deputy Leader and Housing and Health Portfolio Holder, Councillor Lesley Grisedale, said “We have been able to subsidise this service for the past six years. When you have a collaboration that has been proved to work well and makes a difference, it’s important to keep it going and to make sure people know they can take advantage of what’s on offer.
“As Chair of EDC’s Health & Welbeing Group, I can make sure the Handy Person service is highlighted and we’ll continue to work with EHA to ensure the message filters down to our parish councils and third sector groups like Age UK.”
Anyone interested in booking the service can contact the Eden Housing Team on 01768 861400, email [email protected] or visit www.edenha.org.uk/handyperson
