A new service that assists the elderly with minor maintenance jobs in and around the house has been established in Youghal. Care and Repair is accessible to those over 65 and provides voluntary assistance with such tasks as changing bulbs and fuses, hanging curtains, minor painting and decorating, lawn mowing, tacking carpets or installing home security devices.

Youghal Care and Repair evolved from the monthly Community Alert meetings, following a suggestion by regular attender Pat Carey. The idea was pursued, assisted by Cumman na Daoine and in particular staff member Stacy Quinlivan and Ann Marie McCarthy. Further help and support was provided by Age Action Ireland which, in partnership with Irish Life, has a programme committed to ‘creating new services that help other people to acquire independence fulfilling lives for as long as they wish in their own homes.’

The Youghal service is now fully established and held its inaugural monthly committee meeting last week. Desmond Davis, a Wicklow man resident in Youghal for three years, is its first chairman, working alongside PRO and community garda, Peter Queally.

Desmond, a former farmer (he once worked the farm that was later cultivated by Biddy and Miley in the Glenroe series) and now a Methodist minister, speaks with quiet pride and confidence of the new resource. “We presently have a core group of about 15 volunteers,” he explains. They are aged roughly from 20’s to 60’s and include two females. Some are professional tradespeople and others, like me, are just general handymen but it’s fair to say we have a wide range of abilities. All our volunteers are garda vetted,” he adds.

Short wait

Over 65’s who seek to avail of the service are asked to contact Cumman na Daoine with details of the task required. The group will select two volunteers to visit the client, matching abilities as close as possible to the job at hand. “Waiting time should not be more than a couple of days and ideally he jobs we undertake should take about two to three hours to complete,” says Desmond. While the manpower comes free of charge the onus is on the householder to provide the appropriate materials.

The chairman is keen to stress that the service is confined to minor maintenance. “We don’t attempt anything like electrical or plumbing jobs and certainly will not take work from tradespeople,” he explains.  “Also, we don’t climb ladders or undertake anything else with a personal safety risk. Computer and television repairs would also be outside our remit. ”

Thus far the group has answered about a dozen calls amidst “much appreciation,” says Desmond. A gradual growth in requests can be expected as the profile spreads. “It’s still very new in Youghal and a lot of people are probably unaware of the service,” Desmond surmises. “In that sense we are not just eager for more people to call us but would also welcome new volunteers.”

Sociable

In a world where age and alienation are too often associates the benefits can extend beyond just painting a skirting board. “Because we work in pairs, one volunteer might spend more time just chatting over tea with the householder. Observes the chairman. “So the social benefits cannot be underestimated. In fact the overall benefits are two-way, with volunteers acquiring great satisfaction as well.”

Youghal Care and Repair Service is available through Cumann na Daoine on 024-91900 (Mon-Fri, 9.30 am-5.00 pm)