County Durham has launched a “handyperson” service. The project is run by Three Rivers Housing Association’s Care and Repair Department and will take on small scale jobs for residents of County Durham who are over 60, disabled, a victim of crime, at high risk of falling or who are vulnerable in other ways.

The service providers  can complete small jobs (taking up to three hours) in and around the home of both owner occupiers and tenants , but tenants will need to check first whether some jobs are the responsibility of their landlords.

People who use the service will be asked to pay for materials used (at cost price) apart from screws and small fixings etc. and a charge of £10 per visit (including VAT) will be made to cover labour costs. This charge will not be made on jobs taking 30 minutes or less and all labour charges are waived for service users who are in receipt of a “means tested” benefit .

The service is funded by Durham County Council and County Durham Primary Care Trust.

You can contact the handyperson service in any of the following ways:

Write to County Durham Handyperson Service,  62-63 Bede Ave., Sherburn Road, Durham DH1 5TG

Email: handyperson@threerivershousing.co.uk

Visit the website www.threerivershousing.co.uk

Telephone  0191 375 3705

If you use the service, please do come back with a comment. Your experience could be really useful to other people.