A SCHEME to help east Durham's elderly and vulnerable residents avoid accidents in the home is being expanded.
The Handyman Scheme is a free service, jointly funded by Easington Primary Care Trust, Social Care and Health and Easington District Council.
The initiative employs two handyman, who carry out work including repairing loose carpets, providing and fitting grab-rails, putting up curtain rails, changing light bulbs and fitting smoke alarms.
It has proved so successful that two new members of staff are being appointed.
Linda Ogilvie, care services manager at East Durham Homes, said: "We are extremely pleased with the success of the service. The handymen are doing great work in helping elderly and vulnerable people in the district live independent lives in their own homes.
"The new appointments will mean we can extend the service to help even more people.''
Due to the demand for the service, the handymen can only carry out accident-prevention tasks and cannot undertake gardening, decorating or general maintenance.
The service is available Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 4.30pm. For more information, call 0191-527 1089.
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