News release
19 May 2020
COUNCIL HANDYPERSON SCHEME RESUMES
A scheme that supports elderly or vulnerable residents with practical help around their homes is re-starting after being suspended due to Coronavirus restrictions.
South Lakeland District Council’s (SLDC) Handyperson Scheme offers assistance with small jobs around the home to help people maintain independent living and quality of life.
When running normally, the service provides help with anything from changing a lightbulb to putting up shelving, installing hand rails and small repairs such as unblocking sinks. The work is free of charge and only materials need to be paid for.
The scheme was suspended in line with government guidance following the Coronavirus outbreak, but following a review this week in light of new government advice SLDC has decided to partially reintroduce the service and accept referrals for external work only.
This would include jobs such as clearing gutters on bungalows, fitting outside grab rails and installing a key safe.
No work will be undertaken at the current time that would require entering a resident’s property, even if that is just to access the back, for example to fit a grab rail on the outside back wall of the home.
Each request through the Handyperson Scheme will be carefully screened by council staff to ensure the job can be carried out in accordance with these restrictions and while observing social distancing before the job is passed on to the contractor.
Assistance under the Handyperson Scheme is available to people who are unable to undertake the task themselves and have no other person available to help them with the task and reside in the South Lakeland area, who:
- are aged 65 and over; or
- have a disability or are vulnerable; or
- are being discharged or have recently been discharged from hospital; or
- are at high risk of falling due to a medical condition; or
- potential victims of crime, who are referred by the police
Works are limited to a maximum of three hours on site if one handy person visits, or 1.5 hours if two handy people visit.
The scheme is supported by Cumbria Constabulary and Age UK, and the fitting of minor security measures is also included in the scheme.
Further details of the scheme, including qualifying criteria and time/usage constraints, are available on the council’s website www.southlakeland.gov.uk, via telephone on 01539 733 333 or via email on housingstandards@southlakeland.gov.uk