You are here: Westlea home > Helping hand service
A low cost minor repairs and DIY service for disabled or older residents and lone parents
What is it?
Westlea’s ‘Helping Hand’ service is a scheme available to vulnerable and
older residents, those with disabilities and lone parents. This service
is reliable, dependable, affordable – and only a phone call away!
We know that many residents sometimes have difficulty finding someone to carry out minor repairs, small DIY jobs or painting at an affordable cost.
The Helping Hand service is for ‘extra’ jobs that are not the responsibility of Westlea as your landlord. Examples are given below of minor repairs or small DIY jobs covered by the service. (If you are not sure whether the job is Westlea’s responsibility, please check in your Repairs Book or call the Repairs Helpline on 01249 466100.)
What does the service do?
Some examples of Helping Hand service
jobs are:
- putting up shelves;
- building ‘flat pack’ furniture;
- replacing fluorescent light starters/tubes;
- tiling bathrooms;
- repairing minor plaster faults and cracks;
- painting rooms and hallways;
- fixing hand rails and grab rails; and
- fitting curtain rails.
Many of our residents sometimes have difficulty finding someone to carry out minor repairs, small DIY jobs, or painting at an affordable cost.
Who pays for the work?
You will be charged a subsidised labour charge and, where relevant, the cost for materials. We will ask you to pay in advance. If you are having a room decorated, you will be asked to supply the paint, although in some cases we can supply a limited range of paint at cost price.
How do I apply?
Simply call 01249 466100. You will be sent a short application form and asked to return it in a pre-paid envelope. If you have difficulty completing the form please let us know and a member of the team will be more than happy to help you.
What happens next?
We will normally visit the property before works starts. We will outline the work to be done; when the work will start; how long it will take; say what the overall cost will be; and give details of the different ways you can pay. We will then offer you an appointment. Depending on the level of demand for the service, you may have to wait a few weeks.
When the Helping Hand tradesperson has completed the job, we will provide a feedback form so you can comment on the service you have received.
What we don’t do
There are some jobs that are not offered as part of this Helping Hand scheme. These include: wallpapering; everyday gardening tasks; jobs to be carried out at a high level; and repairs that are carried out by Westlea as standard practice. We will not be carrying out any adaptations to the property.
To find out more
If you have questions about the Helping Hand service and would like to find out more, please call us on 01249 466100.
