Care and Repair gets it sorted!

What would you do if you were an older person who suddenly had to find a large amount of money to pay for essential repair work to your house?

And how would you go about organising the necessary work?

These were the problems which Mrs Orr of Dalmeny had to face recently.

The roof of her Victorian terrace home was leaking, while replastering and decoration were also long overdue.

Over 60, and not having a large income or enough savings in the bank, Mrs Orr turned to Care and Repair Edinburgh for help.

Care and Repair is a not-for-profit agency, working in partnership with the Council, which assists older people and people with disabilities with house repairs, improvements and adaptations.

Staff visited Mrs Orr’s house and contacted a surveyor to get specialist advice.

They were also able to help Mrs Orr apply for a special low-cost loan through the Council’s Scheme of Assistance.

This is a loan for qualifying owner occupiers who can’t get finance from high street providers.

The loan has now been released and the contractors have started work to renew the roof.

“It is a great relief to have the staff from Care and Repair helping me and to know that I won’t be faced with big loan repayments at a time when the cost of everything is going up,” said Mrs Orr.

Care and Repair also has a small repairs service for joinery repairs, and a handyperson service that can help with chores such as changing lightbulbs, putting up curtain rails or fixing cupboard doors.

Need to know

For more information phone 0131 220 7630 or go to the website www.careandrepairedinburgh.org.uk

Care and Repair Edinburgh Ltd 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE.