Voreda House - Temporary Closure
Our offices at Voreda House in Penrith are closed to the public because of flooding. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. You can call our Penrith customer services team on 0300 373 3300 or contact us online.
Handy person scheme
Help for elderly and vulnerable people who are unable to carry out essential work at their homes. The scheme does not provide an emergency service.
Some households can benefit from a handy person service. It helps elderly or vulnerable people carry out very simple but essential work at their homes.
It is free except for the cost of materials. You will have to pay for materials like hand-rails, grab rails, key safes or light bulbs - unless materials have been supplied by a partner agency (as in the case of some security items).
Please note that the contractor will visit to measure the size of the handrails and provide a quote to you if you need to purchase materials.
This scheme applies to all residents, whether you rent privately, own your home or are a Social Housing Resident.
If you are a Social Housing tenant, or renting privately, and request jobs that are your landlord's responsibility, you will be redirected to contact your landlord
Eligible households can use the service up to six times a year.
Check eligibility and the types of work listed below before making a request.
We don't provide an emergency service.
Please give us as much detail as possible when making your request.
Who we can help
People who:
- are unable to undertake the task themselves
- have no other person available to help them
- live in Westmorland and Furness Council area
You must be aged 65 and over or be:
- disabled
- vulnerable
- recently discharged from hospital
- at high risk of falling due to a medical condition
- potential victims of crime referred by the police
Work can the handy person can do
The work includes:
- fitting of minor security measures such as spy-holes, door and window locks and security lighting
- fitting key safes, door bells or telephone extension leads
- changing light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- fitting plugs/fuses or fixing down/making safe trailing or loose wires
- putting up curtain rails, curtains or blinds. The customer should provide the rail
- installing internal and external grab rails
- erecting shelves or affixing coat hooks
- fixing down or trimming loose or hazardous carpets
- replacing toilet seats or sealant around sinks/baths
- unblocking sinks and repairing minor leaks
- replacing tap washers, cistern washers and ball valves or draining/bleeding radiators
- initial help following hospital discharge (for example, resetting heating controls)
- minor repairs to gates, fences and paths to prevent tripping hazards or to help secure the property
- pressure washing to create a safe path only, not for a whole area
Work is limited to a maximum of three hours on site if one handy person visits, or 1.5 hours if two handy people visit.
Gardening and decorating are not included.
You do not need to be a homeowner to qualify for the handy person scheme but you may need permission for some works that would not normally be the responsibility of the tenant.
Eligible households can request this service up to six times in a 12 month period.
If the works fall outside the scope, you may be able to request and pay for private works directly from the contractor.
Contact us
Email: housingstandards@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Address: Housing Standards, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DQ