At today’s Housing Sub Committee, Councillors agreed to allocate just over 75k to support the region’s Handy Van and Food Train service.
£37,400 will be used to allow the continuation of the Food Train service which provides a shopping and delivery service to older and vulnerable people. The Food Train Extra service also helps people with small household jobs which do not require the skills of a tradesman. Examples include changing light bulbs, cleaning light shades, moving furniture and small repairs such as re-fixing loose tiles, picture hanging, fuses, plugs and other similar jobs.
The Handy-Van Small Repairs & Home Support Service will be able expand in to the West of the region thanks to the allocation of £38,000. The funding will allow a Handy-Van operative to be based in the Stranraer.
The Food Train Extra service already works very closely with the Handy-van service. A first visit from Food Train Extra includes a home safety check with referral to the Handy-van for home security measures and Home Fire Safety Team for fire safety measures.
Where 2 people are required, Food Train Extra provides volunteers to the Handy-van service to assist in jobs such as those which require ladder work.
Councillor Jim McClung, Chair of the Council’s Housing Sub Committee said
“I am glad that funding has been approved for both of these projects as they enable older and vulnerable people to live independently and safely in their own home. Having a base in Stranraer will enable the Handy Van service to help people in the West of our region.
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