A handyperson service for Sheffield Council tenants is successfully being piloted in the east and southwest areas of the city by leading repairs and maintenance provider, Kier and Sheffield City Council.

The service, for residents over 60 or with disabilities or severe health problems, has been implemented to help tenants with smaller jobs in their home that they cannot manage themselves and which would not normally be reported as responsive repairs. Designed to assist people and help them feel safe and comfortable in their homes, the types of jobs carried out under the service include:

• fixing curtain rails

• fitting shelves

• checking smoke alarms

• hanging pictures, mirrors etc

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• moving furniture within your home

• securing carpets, trailing wires etc

• minor communal repairs

One tenant that benefited from the pilot programme is Mrs Brader who commented: "The service was so quick and easy to use - I would recommend it to anyone who has those little jobs around the house that never get sorted."

Cllr Harry Harpham, cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said: "We’re always looking for ways in which we can improve the services we offer and we are delighted to provide this convenient service to residents in the east and south-west of the city. We’d like to encourage residents to make the most of the service, and if it proves to be popular we will consider rolling it out in other areas. The best thing of all for our residents is they now have people whom they all know and trust to come into their homes to do their repairs in a friendly and helpful way."

Kier regional managing director, Simon Bullen, added: "The pilot handyperson programme has quickly proved an invaluable service for local residents. Through working in partnership with Sheffield City Council to identify the tenants who may require extra help, we have been able to complete smaller jobs that are vital to vulnerable residents. By focusing on the needs of our customers we are able to constantly reassess the services we offer and tailor them to the needs of individuals."

(CD/MH)