Introducing… Handy Helpers Scheme

Community Impact Bucks has launched its free Handy Helper project, helping vulnerable and isolated Bucks residents who are aged 65 or over, and infirm or living with a disability.

The project seeks to enable people to live safely and securely in their own homes for longer. Volunteers visit to assist with odd jobs, small repairs and maintenance tasks, and also provide some social interaction to help tackle loneliness.

This is a 12-month project funded by Aylesbury Vale District Council, Wycombe District Council and Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils. It follows two pilot schemes which ran in Aylesbury/Aylesbury Vale and Gerrards Cross in 2017 and 2018; these completed 553 tasks for 119 beneficiaries, and involved 28 volunteers who gave 1633 volunteering hours.

Rolling out the scheme across Buckinghamshire will require numerous new volunteers, willing to contribute within their locality. Anyone interested can contact Samantha Hardy at Community Impact Bucks (Tel: 0300 111 1250 Email: handyhelpers@communityimpactbucks.org.uk)

Samantha sums up the scheme as follows on the Community Impact Bucks website: “This project is unique – it combines two things which our more vulnerable residents really need; help with odd jobs around their homes and a visit from a friendly face who can give that much-needed social interaction. Handy Helpers is all about local community participation and we’d love to hear from anyone who is able to give some spare time to help in our clients’ homes.”

More information on the scheme:

Launch of Handy Helpers scheme

Overview of Handy Helpers Scheme

Handy Helpers Scheme – Volunteer case study

Handy Helpers Scheme – Client case study