G
grumpygit
I often work closely within the construction industry and have many contacts in the way of business owners and highly skilled tradesmen. For a while now I have been a little bothered about how aged vulnerable people, sometimes disabled are paying out money they can ill afford to have small jobs done around their homes.
Only today I met a lovely 75 year old lady on her own who has breathing problems and arthritis in her hands. She occasionally needs to move furniture or change light bulbs, something so easy yet she is unable to do it herself. So she is having to pay someone to come around and do this for her. I am not suggesting anyone is ripping her off, we all need to make a living, but these are jobs someone with a few hours spare could do once in a while.
I have a few elderly customers myself who I will do the odd free job for, I just cannot find it in me to charge for some of these jobs where they are just unlucky in that they might not have family to do it for them, so they have to pay. I am not talking electrical rewires here or kitchen replacements, just light shades that need replacing, a rad that needs bleeding, or a shelf putting up.
I have been in touch with Age UK, not over helpful, but early days yet. I would like to set up a register or database of tradesmen who are willing to say give up a day or even half day per month for free to offer their skills to help those who cannot do those little jobs themselves, even a few hours a month could be such a help to someone.
I really do not have much of a clue how I am even going to start with this. At the moment I have chatted to a few trades people and made a few calls.
If anyone has any advice they can give me I would be most grateful.
Thanks
Only today I met a lovely 75 year old lady on her own who has breathing problems and arthritis in her hands. She occasionally needs to move furniture or change light bulbs, something so easy yet she is unable to do it herself. So she is having to pay someone to come around and do this for her. I am not suggesting anyone is ripping her off, we all need to make a living, but these are jobs someone with a few hours spare could do once in a while.
I have a few elderly customers myself who I will do the odd free job for, I just cannot find it in me to charge for some of these jobs where they are just unlucky in that they might not have family to do it for them, so they have to pay. I am not talking electrical rewires here or kitchen replacements, just light shades that need replacing, a rad that needs bleeding, or a shelf putting up.
I have been in touch with Age UK, not over helpful, but early days yet. I would like to set up a register or database of tradesmen who are willing to say give up a day or even half day per month for free to offer their skills to help those who cannot do those little jobs themselves, even a few hours a month could be such a help to someone.
I really do not have much of a clue how I am even going to start with this. At the moment I have chatted to a few trades people and made a few calls.
If anyone has any advice they can give me I would be most grateful.
Thanks