Cambridgeshire Handyperson Service to be retendered after playing ‘key role in promoting independence and reducing health inequalities’

Councillors have agreed to retender a countywide service to enable residents to remain living safely in their own homes for longer.

Cambridgeshire has provided the Handyperson Service since 2014, jointly commissioned with the five district and city councils. It was first commissioned to support the delivery of the council’s early intervention and prevention agenda.

Members of the council’s Adults and Health Committee unanimously agreed to the recommendation to retender the service when they met today.

The service provides low-level and affordable home adaptations, including home safety checks, fitting handrails, simple plumbing work, and installing key safes and smoke alarms.

It is targeted to support older people and those with physical disabilities, with all work provided at a subsidised cost, significantly below the market rate for the type of jobs undertaken.

This work helps people to remain safe and independent in their home and community of choice for longer, reduces hospital admissions, and delays the point at which they might need statutory care and support.

By maintaining people's independence through early intervention and prevention, it’s been estimated that for every pound spent on delivering housing adaptations, through the Handyperson Service, roughly £7.50 of potential future spending is saved through reduced hospital admissions and care requirements.

Cllr Graham Wilson, chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I am delighted that the committee has unanimously agreed to retender this service.

“The Handyperson Service plays a key role in promoting independence and reducing health inequalities in our county by providing low-level housing adaptations that enable people to remain active, for as long as possible.

“Our Handyperson Service does not just improve residents’ quality of life, it is also an extremely prudent use of council funds, delivering early interventions that keep people out of hospital and delay the need for costly formal care and support.”