Home Services - Handy Person/Gardening Service

Background

The Minor Repairs Person Service (MRS) was launched some 10 years ago. The service was funded by Croydon Council and was free to all residents over the age of 60 in the London Borough of Croydon (LBC). The types of jobs undertaken were relatively low level – changing light bulbs, plugs etc.

Due to funding cuts, it became necessary to introduce a charge for the service. At the same time changed its name to the Handy Person Service (HPS) and expanded what we were able to do and included building flat pack furniture, putting shelves up etc.

2 years ago, the service was developed into a “Social Enterprise” which basically means it was turned into a community business and any profits go back into the organisation. Unfortunately further costs to the client had to be put in due to further funding cuts.

Following a recent review of its Social Enterprise Services and extensive market research, the Board of Directors which to expand and develop the Handy Person Service.

Future

We are now expanding and developing the services offering a variety of additional tasks to our clients. As part of this service expansion, we are also launching a Tidy Gardens Service.

Our vision is to employ a small team of Handy Persons who in a n ideal world, will be able to turn their hand to any DIY tasks including low level gardening.

The types of jobs the team will be required to carry out may include:

  • Fencing
  • Re-hanging doors
  • Putting up sheds/greenhouses
  • Power washing patios/drives
  • Small decorating jobs
  • Lawn mowing
  • Hedge trimming
  • Leaf clearing

Basically, the list could be endless depending on the types of skills and experience the team have. Ideally we would like to be able to do any jobs we are asked to carry out that does not require professional qualification/training for example gas or electricity works.

This is a new, developing and expanding service of which we would like to include the team of handy people in the decision making.

Initial business planning has provided a target of 25 hours worth of work to be carried out every week. It is envisaged that initially we will have a small team with a range of skills working 1 or 2 days a week with a view to building up the hours and team over the year.

“Zero hours contracts” provide you with all the same employment conditions and rights as someone employed for a set number of hours. You would be entitled to sick/holiday pay etc.

The Handy Person(s) will be provided if necessary with equipment to complete the tasks requested for example a drill, screw drivers, lawn mower, loppers, hedge trimmer, rake, broom, extension cable etc.

A van will be available for the Gardeners/Handy Person(s) to use, however you can use your own vehicle if preferred for which a mileage allowance will be paid.

Service Manager

Age Concern Croydon

Updated April 2009

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