North West's elderly to benefit from 'handyperson' scheme thanks to £4.3 million grant

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

Elderly people in the North West are to benefit from millions of pounds worth of funding for an innovative handy help scheme.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said £4.3m would be granted for handyperson services for older and vulnerable people in the North West.

She confirmed £1m would be spent over 2009/2011 for a national FirstStop advice service to help older people, their families and carers access information and support on housing, care, finance and rights.

Baroness Andrews said: "For many vulnerable people, having someone they can trust to give them advice and practical help is invaluable and this is exactly what FirstStop and the handyperson schemes do."

The funding was announced after Preston Care and Repair, a local organisation that helps older, disabled and vulnerable people to make repairs to their homes, won a national award for its services.

The organisation was presented with the Excellence in Delivering Handyperson Services award by Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for the North West, at the Foundations Annual Home Improvement Agency Awards, sponsored by Stannah Stairlifts.

Baroness Andrews congratulated Preston Care and Repair.

She said: "Home improvement agencies have become a lifeline to thousands of older and vulnerable people, giving them the practical help they need to stay in their homes.

"This year's award winners are pushing the boundaries of excellence and it's great to see their hard work and creativity being rewarded."

Beverley Hughes, Minister for the North West, said: "I warmly congratulate Preston Care & Repair on this award and commend them for their hard work in helping maintain quality of life for vulnerable people living in our local communities.

"Home improvement agencies and their partners make an increasingly important contribution to the way we support older people, disabled people and vulnerable people in England.

"As the Minister for the North West I am very proud that our region has been the most successful this year, taking three out of seven awards."