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A handy van service making it safer for older and vulnerable people to live in their own homes is being unveiled later this month. A fleet of eight new vans is being launched on Tuesday 22 July and a dedicated team of handy staff will be taking to the roads of Derbyshire straight away. Each Derbyshire district will have its own dedicated handy van offering householders home fire safety checks, security checks and energy efficiency advice as well as carrying out practical household tasks. The need for the handy vans was identified following wide consultation with older people and a number of organisations across the county. Derbyshire County Council is part-funding the scheme, with other money coming from the Regional Housing Board, following a successful joint bid by all the district and borough councils. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has also played an important role in the scheme, supplying all eight of the new vans as well as insuring, taxing and maintaining them. The service will also pay for the fuel. All handy van staff will be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and the scheme has funding initially for two years. It will be free to people aged over 60 and those who have been referred because they are vulnerable or at risk. To ensure as many people as possible have a chance to use the service, people will be restricted to two visits per year from the handy van and they can refer themselves or others can do it on their behalf. While the county council will oversee the handy vans operation, agencies in each area, in partnership with district and borough councils, will run them on a day to day basis. As well as the county council's adult social services and community safety, other partners involved in developing the scheme include Derbyshire Police, Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust and a range of groups from the voluntary sector. The grand launch is being held in the afternoon at Alfreton Community Fire Station and representatives from the county council and the fire and rescue service will be there to inspect the new fleet and meet the team. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: "Carrying out work in people's homes that they may have attempted themselves can prevent accidents and keep older and more vulnerable people safer. "We think the handy van scheme is an excellent way of supporting people to live independently in their own homes and are sure hundreds of people every year will benefit from its services." Chief fire officer Brian Tregunna said: "This is another excellent example of how various organisations in Derbyshire work together to help local people. The fire and rescue service is delighted to contribute to this new scheme." Derbyshire Fire Authority chair Councillor Paul Smith said: "We are pleased to work in partnership with a wide range of other organisations in order to improve the quality of life for local people." Media enquiries only to Mandy Cann on 01629 585032 or email mandy.cann@derbyshire.gov.uk. |
