The right tools for vulnerable householders in Nottingham

By Tony Watts - Editor - 14/02/2007

 Thanks to the generosity of two local companies, a new loan scheme is underway in Nottingham to enable vulnerable householders to borrow the tools they need to complete DIY and basic household tasks. The scheme is offered by Framework’s FIXIT service, which provides practical help and learning around household maintenance tasks to help people live more independently.
 
Many recipients of this scheme are elderly people, especially widows, who want to stay in their own homes, but lack basic DIY skills or the money to buy specialist tools.

Joy Cotton, manager of FIXIT, said: “Some of the people who use FIXIT now feel confident enough and have the skills they need to complete DIY and other household tasks without staff support, but due to the very low income of some of the people we work with, they simply do not have the tools they need to do these tasks.
 
"The benefits of this scheme will directly contribute to a vulnerable person’s ability to live independently within the community, building their confidence in working alone and ultimately helping vulnerable people to move away from homelessness or into residential care.”
 
The scheme needed £800 pounds worth of tools to get started - a sum generously provided by B&Q in Arnold who donated £400 worth of tools, and Boots Athletic Rugby Club, who donated proceeds from the Boots Rugby Ball.

To be eligible for the FIXIT service you must meet one of the requirements:
• Be moving into a new home
• Be experiencing difficulties maintaining your home
• Live in a tenancy within the Nottingham City boundary
• Have support needs in completing the job FIXIT will work on