Muslim Aid and Age Concern Tower Hamlets have joined together on the Handyperson project; a service which gives elderly people from the area a helping hand around the home. With team leader Dave Monagham at the helm, this small group of volunteers tackles a range of DIY jobs, that elderly and less able bodied people are unable to manage. It provides a lifeline for those who have no extra help from family and friends and who are unable to leave the house. The project, which began as a small part time venture around 15 years ago, now helps over 100 people in the community.
“I started in 1999, it’s taken a while but it’s grown because the people who use the service find it very beneficial. We carry out the jobs that they are less able to do” said Dave.
Muslim Aid went to visit some of the beneficiaries of the project to see how Age Concern was making a difference to their lives.
Joseph Grodinsky has been living in his flat in Bow for over 30 years. It is evident that he has an eye for DIY; every piece of furniture has an extra shelve or extension and he is particularly proud of his table on wheels. However, suffering from spinal injuries and swollen knees, he is unable to continue doing odd jobs around his house. He has lived all his life in the East End but he has no other family to turn to since his mother passed away. Although he has a carer to do many of the household chores, he relies on Age Concern to do the more physically demanding jobs. They have also provided him with a blender to blend his food (he has difficulty swallowing) and an oven. They have also put up extra shelving. He is thankful to Age Concern and speaks affectionately of Dave -
"If it wasn’t for Age Concern I would have found it much more difficult to get things done around the house. The British Legions used to help me before I found Age Concern, but Age Concern is much more convenient for me because of the location and the easy accessibility”.
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Muriel Geary is extremely sprightly for her 71 years. It is not obvious that she has been caring for her husband who had a stroke two years ago and suffers from Alzheimer's and dementia. She finds looking after her husband extremely tiring and Age Concern provides a respite from tacking some of the house hold chores. Sitting in her bright, beautifully decorated home in Bethnal Green she describes how the service has been a lifeline for her when times were tough,
”The service is marvellous. I’ve been very fortunate in the help I’ve had, from the project as well as the carers that come to care for my husband. It means I can get a bit of rest".
Aside from the carers, Muriel has little help from her family. Age Concern provides her with the extra help she needs in maintaining her home,
“I have used Age Concern since it started almost 15 years ago. My son’s moved far away, so they aren’t able to help out as much. Age Concern has helped me put the lights up, the blinds for my window and mirrors in my bathroom.”
The service also provides a friendly face to chat to as she is not able to leave the house much,
"Admittedly it can be very lonely because I’m unable to leave my house as my husband needs constant care. Luckily when Age Concern comes, I’m able to chat to them while they are here".
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Hester Mallen has by far the best view of London. Perched on the twentieth floor of a huge block of flats, she has a magnificent view of Victoria Park and East London which sprawls out into the distance. However, having been a lecturer of East London History, she feels that this East End just isn't the same.
“It’s not what it used to be. Before you were born, there was a lot more community spirit, everyone knew each other but now I don’t even know my neighbours.” It is easy to understand how isolated she feels, being so high up and separated from the rest of the flats by a small staircase.
Hester described herself as an ‘extremely fit 71 year old’ before she had an accident in 2004. Doctors misdiagnosed a hip injury which healed badly and now causes her a lot of pain. She is unable to walk very far and finds her disability frustrating, especially as she was a keen traveller and gardener. However she is thankful to Age Concern,
“Age Concern is a Godsend, I never married or had any children so this really provides me with the help I need. They do so many jobs for me around the house that I could not manage”.
She already has a list of chores ready for Dave and the team which include fixing a video tape of her favourite film. For Hester, Age Concern means that she can stay in her cosy flat and needn’t risk further injury by trying to do things herself.
“Age concern is the difference between managing here and not being able to live here on my own. I wouldn’t want to live in a home, and I refuse to live in a one bedroom bed sit, when I have a perfectly good flat”.
Do you think you could help Age Concern Tower Hamlets to help people like Joseph, Muriel and Hester? See our volunteer opportunities for more information.