New Torbay scheme to help vulnerable people (From Mid Devon Star)

New Torbay scheme to help vulnerable people

8:41am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

A new scheme has been launched to help vulnerable people living in Torbay.

 Torbay’s Neighbourhood Watch Forum's "Feel Safe Scheme" aims to help vulnerable individuals to feel safer in their own homes and neighbourhoods.

The scheme enables small jobs to be carried out at someone’s property to help them feel safer. This might include things like adding a peep hole to the door, fitting a door chain, putting up a security light or carrying out minor repairs to fencing.

The Neighbourhood Watch Forum has secured £4,000 of funding from The Marjorie and Geoffrey Jones Charitable trust, the Norman Family Charitable Trust, Sanctuary Housing and the Co-operative Community Fund so that in most cases work will be carried out free of charge, but in some cases a small contribution to the total cost of the work may be required.

Local organisations Anode and Torbay Age UK are also supporting the scheme and are utilising their accredited list of skilled contacts to complete the works. The Fire Service is also very engaged with the scheme and have offered to complete Home Safety visits to those signposted as most at risk in our communities.

Alan Thornton, the deputy chair of Torbay NHW, said: “Everybody has the right to feel safe in their own homes but people who are vulnerable in some way may need a bit of extra support. This scheme is the first we are aware of and we are looking forward to helping the most vulnerable people of Torbay who may be unable to afford to arrange for this work to be completed themselves.”

If you know someone who may benefit from this scheme contact the Neighbourhood Watch volunteers on 01803 218701 or email torbayneighbourhoodwatch@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk with details.

If you are interested in setting up a NHW scheme in your area please visit the website www.torbaywatch.org.uk for details.