Origin Housing's Home Improvement Agency celebrates 25 years

Published by comms@origin for Origin Housing Group in Housing

On 20 July, Origin Housing's Home Improvement Agency celebrated 25 years. Originally known as the care and repair service it was set up in June 1987 and designed to provide adaptations and repairs to vulnerable people in the community so that they could stay in their homes.

Now known as Origin's Home Improvement Agency its been going for 25 years and offers repairs, adaptations, a handyperson service and a home from hospital service.

Every year we complete 2750 handyperson jobs and over 100 adaptations, as well as over 400 home from hospital referrals over the past six years.

Mrs Jones said" Thanks for me helping me. I can have a shower for the first time in years." and For Mr Palmer, moving to a new home was a daunting task, he says "It was a series of jobs, none of which I could have done myself. I couldn't have managed without him."

The service was set up to help vulnerable people to maintain their independence and live comfortably and safely in their own homes and despite all the changes since that continues to be what we are here for.
 
Much of our work is focussed on older and disabled people. Our services are focused on the needs of our communities and this includes arranging adaptations or other improvements to people’s homes such as putting in a level access shower, replacing old drafty windows and installing central heating, right through to building extensions.

Cathy McCarthy, Director of People Services says" As anyone who has had work done in their home knows, it can be difficult to find a trustworthy builder, specify exactly what you need, move your belongings and keep a close check on the work being done. Our team deals with all that and has the specialist knowledge of both the technical issues and the health and other issues that some of our clients face."