Older and vulnerable residents are being offered the gift of free handy work this Christmas, as part of Liverpool’s ‘Handy Persons’ scheme.
The ’12 Deeds of Christmas’ offer is open to people aged over 65 and those with a disability.
There will be 12 jobs selected at random from all the bookings received and one job will be carried out for free on each of the 12 days.
The scheme is run by Liverpool City Council, which awarded the council’s Housing Maintenance Solutions (HMS) and Riverside House a grant of £250,000 in the summer to deliver the pilot in north and south Liverpool.
Tasks such as fitting locks, spyholes and door chains, replacing light bulbs, electric fuses and plugs, and installing grab rails will be carried out.
Fitting doorbells and smoke alarms, assembling flat pack furniture, unblocking sinks and one-off garden clean-ups will also be offered free of charge.
DIY professionals from HMS, Riverside and Blackburne House have come together for a ’12 Deeds of Christmas’ initiative, and will complete a free job every day between 12th and 24th December.
Coun Ann O’Byrne, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The Handy Persons scheme is designed to keep people safe in their homes and living independently for longer – and our Christmas initiative is extending the reach of our helping hand.
“Residents may need some work carrying out around their homes put are putting it off because they have to cover the cost of Christmas.”
The Handy Persons scheme aims to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of vulnerable people, allow them to stay living in their homes for longer, and cut hospital admissions caused by DIY accidents.
Residents should request a job on 0151 295 6102 by 6th December to be in with a chance of getting the work carried out for free.