Yvonne Aitken,
Service Co-ordinator, North Lanarkshire Handyperson Service
I am the Service Co-ordinator for the North Lanarkshire Handyperson Service, now based in Airdrie, managed by CVS North Lanarkshire. The service provides information and support to older people.
Approximately 10 years ago, I started the Handyperson Service and operated from the Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre in Bellshill, covering the Bellshill and Viewpark areas.
In 2003 application was made to North Lanarkshire Council for funding to extend the area of service to include the whole of North Lanarkshire. This application was successful as the Handyperson Service met the criteria of the North Lanarkshire Council’s Social Work Strategic Plan. This funding allowed me to move premises to Motherwell Town Hall Business Centre, which was more central for the service and also to employ two additional members of staff.
In 2003 the service was highly commended as the “Best Newcomer” in Partners in Volunteering Awards. The sponsors were Volunteer Development Scotland and Scottish Business in the Community. The partnership was between Age Concern Scotland and Maintenance and Property Care.
My main priorities are:- To effectively manage the service and support staff and volunteers; publicising the service to older people in the North Lanarkshire area; liaising with local statutory and voluntary groups to deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences; to identify and develop areas of opportunity for the Handyperson Service; to ensure quarterly progress reports are submitted to North Lanarkshire Council; to ensure that all volunteers receive the necessary training to carry small tasks for older people.
Together with the Deputy Co-ordinator and admin support, I continued to deliver the service from Motherwell until the 31st March 2009 when Age Concern Scotland withdrew from delivering direct services.
Fortunately, from the 1st of April 2009 the Board of CVS North Lanarkshire stepped in to manage the service.
With the help of volunteers this service helps older people to remain longer in their own homes.
Any person aged 60 and over, living in the North Lanarkshire area, regardless of tenure, can access the service. A few examples of the tasks our volunteers carry out are:
- Changing light bulbs
- Fitting smoke alarms
- Restringing pulleys
- Changing or hanging curtains/ replacing curtain poles/rails.
- Fitting door chains or viewers(wooden doors)
- Moving furniture within the home.
- No charge is made for labour or travel costs
I look forward to working with CVS North Lanarkshire to further enhance the excellent service we currently deliver.
- Click here to find out more about the Handyperson Service
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