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Helping elderly people in the New Forest stay in their own homes

Elderly people in the New Forest are being helped to stay in their own homes thanks to the charity, Community First New Forest.

Each year Community First New Forest’s Home Improvement Agency (HIA) helps around 400 elderly and disabled people. The services, which help people to remain living independently in their own homes, include essential repairs, maintenance, improvements and adaptations.

The New Forest HIA supports people in making grant applications to the Council, and to charities and trusts, and in addition can help them to get good builders to carry out the work.

Community First New Forest’s HIA also runs a handyman service which does small jobs around the home at low cost.

With the New Forest having the highest proportion of elderly people than any other district in Hampshire, services such as the Home Improvement Agency are much needed.

Barrie Cheetham, Home Improvement Agency Manager at Community First New Forest says, “The services we provide really help elderly and disabled people retain their independence and stay in their own homes, and these services will become even more important as the elderly population continues to grow. We have been able to help many people to get level access showers, ramps, extensions, stair lifts and other equipment that makes a big difference to people’s lives”.

Barrie adds, “Our services are always in high demand and we are continually looking for additional funding to extend our reach”.

If you would like to find out whether Barrie and his team are able to help you, or guide you in the right direction, then telephone 01425 478005.

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