Lochaber Handyperson Scheme

This scheme is to help elderly, disabled and disadvantaged members of the community to maintain an better quality of life in their homes.

The scheme involves unemployed volunteers, including volunteers with support needs, in skills and personal development opportunities by providing regular and structured work in the community.

The scheme is funded by UVAF - The Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund.

Lochaber Handyperson Scheme
a small repair and assistance service.

What kind of work do we do?
We help with those everyday household jobs such as: wiring a plug, hanging cyrtains, fitting a washer to a tap, shifting heavy furniture, replaciong awkward bulbs or things like batteries in smoke alarms.

Who is it for?
We aim to help anyone in our community who is not so able to tackle awkward household chores. We mainly do work for elderly people, people with disabilities or anyone who is disadvantaged in some way.

How big are the jobs you undertake?
We call the scheme a small repair and assistance service so we aim to help with jobs that generally take less than two hours to do. In fact, we can often fit in several small tasks into one visit. Also longer tasks can be negotiated with the Handyperson Coordinator.

The scheme isn't meant to replace the services of trades people and we are not able to tackle major works!

Where can you do this?
We cover the whole of the Lochaber area.

Is there a limit to how often we can use the service?
No. You can use it as often as necessary. It quite normal for some tasks to require more than one visit or for for us to come back to do something else.

Who will do the work?
We depend entirely on volunteers to do he work. They are people with practical skills, maybe DIY enthusiasts, or tradespeople, who may be retired or unemployed and have the time and skills to help others.

All of our Handypersons carry indentification cards which they will present on every visit. They will arrive at the time arranged with you (transport permitting).

How do I apply for help?
If you are elderly or disabled or disadvanteaged, you can contact the scheme directly yourself if you wish. Otherwise, you can ask your Home Help, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, GP Practice, or even a friend to do it for you.

The Handyperson Coordinator can be reached on 01397 702424.

Depending on available volunteers we accommodate requests for for work as soon as possible. Obviously someone with an urgent request such as blocked sink or fused lights will be given priority over less pressing tasks.

What if I want to be a volunteer?
Visit the volunteering page for how to get involved and to find out about our requirements.