COLUMN by GL11 Community Hub in Cam - written by Tony Carpenter.

Tony is a volunteer co-ordinator at GL11 Community Hub.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a trusted odd job service in the Cam & Dursley area, that didn’t charge the earth in call out fees, which could help older people to stay living in their own homes for longer?

That’s why GL11 Community Hub launched its new “Care & Repair” project earlier this year.

A trusted handy person service for local residents over 65, or any adult living with a disability.

The Charity aims to provide the help their neighbours need, to get small jobs done around the home, to help maintain their independence for longer.

Tony is the odd job angel at GL11 who manages the pioneering Care & Repair project.

From general DIY, such as replacing a light bulb or moving furniture, to installing a safety rail or fitting a key safe to enable home care for someone coming out of hospital.

“It’s little things that can make a huge difference to helping people maintain their independence, living in their own home for longer” says Tony.

“Like the lady at Elm Lodge, whose front door opened onto the top of the communal stairs, and was terrified of falling.

"We were able to install a safety stair gate and the problem was fixed.”

Elsewhere, GL11’s odd job angels have helped fitted home safety equipment so that patients can be discharged from hospital to continue their convalesce at home, and even cutback brambles over a path that were threatening to prevent a man reaching his front door.

“All it takes is a simple phone call to GL11 Community Hub on 01453-548530” says Tony.

“I make a free, no obligation home visit, to assess what help is needed, and to let you know the cost of any materials and time involved.

"Then if you are happy, we come back and do the work.”

When something as small as a installing a key safe to allow careers to come in, might keep you living independently in your own home for longer, it could well feel like you’ve been visited by an odd job angel.