Press Release

01 July 2004

OLDER PEOPLE GET TOUGH ON COWBOY BUILDERS

Newcastle elders have teamed up with national housing charity, Care & Repair England, to put an end to older people being swindled by builders.

At the launch of their information pack 'In Good Repair', Older People's Champion, Councillor John O'Shea said, "This is a brilliant initiative that helps older people to help themselves. It is the clearest information that I have seen about organising repairs and adaptations in your home".

"Getting repairs done is a headache for all of us, but for older people on their own there is the added worry about being cheated, or a bad job being done" said Sue Adams, Director of Care & Repair England, 'In Good Repair' is a real joint effort between us and the Elders Council of Newcastle readers group. It covers finding the money to pay for building work, how to get a good job done by a decent builder and who can help".

Vera Bolter, vice chair of the Elders Council is a leading light in the field of housing and older people and has been a prime mover in this venture. "Information is so important", said Vera. "It enables you to take control of your own affairs. And if you know that there is someone who can give that little bit of help when you need it, living independently becomes that bit easier"

-ENDS-

Notes:

1. "In Good Repair" is set out in easy to read format with large print. It provides step by step instructions to finding the money to pay for repairs and adaptations and organising the building work. It gives tips on employing a builder and lists useful contact addresses and websites.

2. The pack was launched in Newcastle upon Tyne on the 30th June.

3. The sponsors of the pack are the John Lewis Partnership.

4. Care & Repair England is a national charity set up to improve the housing and living conditions of older and disabled people. Its aim is to innovate, develop and promote initiatives which enable older and disabled people live independently in their homes for as long as they wish.

5. The Elders Council of Newcastle is an organisation which aims to promote the benefit and social inclusion of elders on issues concerning their quality of life, health and well being and to realise the potential of elders as a creative and active resource for the community. Their first successful housing initiative was the award winning 'House For Life' project where the group designed the adaptations for a council house.

6. A local guide to housing issues for older people has been produced for Newcastle (Staying In Your Home), and was launched on the same day. This is available as a blueprint for other local organisations to use via Care & Repair England.

7. Copies of In Good Repair are available free to individuals; multiple copies are available to organisations at cost.

To obtain copies of the 'In Good Repair' guide please contact:
Care & Repair England, 3rd Floor, Bridgford House, Pavilion Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5GJ,
Tel: 0115 982 1527
Fax: 0115 982 1529
E-mail: info@careandrepair-england.org.uk
The guide is also available on the Care & Repair England website www.careandrepair-england.org.uk

For further information:
web site www.careandrepair-england.org.uk - then go to the Housing Options section.

Notes to editors:

For further media information or to arrange a radio interview, please call:

Sue Adams (Director of Care & Repair England)
on either 01392 491 682 or 0115 982 1527
or e-mail sueadams@freenetname.co.uk

Photographs are available from
Catriona Saxton (Company Administrator of Care & Repair England)
Tel 0115 982 1527 email: info@careandrepair-england.org.uk