Elderly people living in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch can now benefit from a free repair service provided they meet specific criteria.

BCP Council’s Handyvan service has three vans available to visit homes to tackle small adaptations and repair jobs.

This follows a successful tender bid from 24-7 Locks Ltd.

To qualify for this free service, residents need to be over 60, or have a disability or long-term condition and are considered vulnerable. They also need to be in receipt of certain government benefits, with priority bookings available to prevent hospital admissions or help following a hospital stay.

Every minor repair or alteration needs to take under two hours to complete and may include work such as fitting grab rails, replacing light bulbs and fuses, securing fence panels and minor plumbing jobs, with any materials needing to be paid for by the resident.

Cllr Karen Rampton, portfolio holder for People and Homes said:  “This service is an essential one to so many of our older or vulnerable residents who are unable to do what many of us take for granted, such as changing a light bulb or checking smoke detector batteries. I’m delighted we’re extending this service with additional vans and handy people able to assist more people to live independently at home for longer, and I look forward to working with the new provider.”

Nick Bearne from 24-7 Locks Ltd said: “We are delighted to be providing this valuable service on behalf of BCP Council. We believe it will be of immense benefit going forward for elderly and vulnerable residents in the area.”

To find out more, or book a Handyvan to come and carry out a small repair in your home, please visit: handyvanservice.co.uk