The Handyperson Service is a partnership between Wakefield Council and Chevin Housing Association. It runs as part of Wakefield’s Care and Repair Service and is available to older and vulnerable households throughout the district.

Aims of the service

The service is aimed at promoting people’s independence and enabling them to stay in their homes in security and comfort by carrying out simple preventative maintenance measures, assisting with transfer of care from hospital and helping to reduce falls in the home.

Although it is aimed at enabling people to stay in their homes, people at risk of falling or people wanting to be discharged from hospital will be dealt with first. The Handyperson Service is a “one stop shop” to enable older and vulnerable people to have those minor maintenance jobs carried out around their home.

Types of work

• Improving access to properties, e.g. building half steps or creating a simple ramp
• Fitting window locks and door bolts
• Fitting key safes to enable family or carers to gain access
• Installing hand and grab rails, bath aids, toilet rails and frames
• Minor plumbing repairs such as fixing leaking taps or making the toilet work (e.g. changing the ball valve or unblocking a drain)
• Basic joinery work, e.g. easing doors and windows
• Fitting and servicing smoke alarms
• Changing fuses, light bulbs or putting new plugs on appliances
• Moving furniture, fixing curtain rails or tacking down carpets

Limits of the scheme

The scheme is there to help older and vulnerable people with simple jobs around the house that they are unable to do and where they involve the smaller scale works that builders are not interested in doing.

The Handyperson Service will not undertake:

• repairs which are the responsibility of the landlord in tenanted properties
• electrical work
• gas installations
• repairs to domestic appliances
• redecoration works, gardening
• domestic tasks or any work above 1.8 metres

How much does it cost?

The Handyperson Service is free to older and vulnerable people but it may not be able to deal with all tasks requested.

How to contact us

If you want help phone or write to:

The Handyperson Service
Care and Repair
Chevin Housing Association Ltd,
Harrison Street,
Wakefield WF1 1PS

Tel : 0845 2701088
Fax: 01924 363595
Email: enquiries@chevinha.co.uk

Information about the service can also be obtained from:

Wakefield Council Assessment Team
Wakefield Council,
Queens Row,
Queens Street,
Wakefield WF1 1DF

Tel: 01924 304550
Fax: 01924 304544

Wakefield Council Family Services
by contacting Social Care direct on:
01924 303456
Email: social_care_direct@wakefield.gov.uk