Programme: Louth
WHO Theme: Civic Participation and Employment, Communication and Information, Community Support and Health Services, Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
Cost: 1000 – 5000
Status: Ongoing
Description
Providing a service to help older people with basic maintenance in their homes and gardens. Service carried out by volunteers at a very low cost.
Gardening,painting,fitting grab rails,de-cluttering, recycling, fitting smoke alarms,changing and replacing bulbs, flat pack assembly ,some basic carpentry and gutter cleaning (single story only)
For other jobs that are too big or require professional expertise we have list of trusted traders.
Carpenters,plumbers,builders,roofers,pest controllers,electricians,painters, decorators,large garden maintenance and tree removal.
We ensure that the trusted trader and the older person agree a price before agreeing to start a job. We also contact the older person afterwards for feedback and overall experiance.
Aim of Initiative
To provide a friendly , trustworthy , in expensive and reliable service at a reasonable price.
Who is it aimed at
Older people living in South Louth and East Meath
3 Steps critical to success
- Recruiting good vulunteers. People who were physically capable but also conmmitted and enthuiastic. Having a good comitted leader.
- Advertising using social media, newspapers , local radio, giving talks to relevant groups and flyers.
- Purchasing a reliable van and good robust equipment . Lawn mowers , s trimmers, hedge cutters.
3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery
- Recruiting enough volunteers to cover the increasing demands
- Having the correct insurance cover
- Getting back some” frightened customer” after the Covid pandemic.
3 Outcomes / Benefits
- Reliable and safe service.
- Clients feel connected to the community
- Able to advertise other of our services for older people , for example personnel alarms.