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About us

Our Mission Statement

"Anchor Staying Put Ellesmere Port and Neston exists to help older people and people with disabilities by providing advice and practical assistance with regard to the repair, renovation or adaptation of their homes to enable them to live independently in comfort and security”

The agency was established in 1995, in partnership with Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, to provide a Home Improvement Agency Service to homeowners and private tenants living in the Borough. The role of the agency has since developed and expanded and over the years we have helped thousands of people to remain living in their own homes.

Quality Services

Consistent with our Investors in People award we have well trained, committed staff who aim to deliver the best possible service to customers. In February 2007 we were awarded Charter Mark, the Government Standard for Excellence in Customer Service and maintaining this standard is a key priority.

Staying Put Core Service

The Staying Put team can assist you with most of the repairs and adaptations you may require. We help with jobs as small as replacing roofing tiles to the design and build of extensions. In many cases work required can be funded or part funded by Local Authority Grants or Decent Homes Equity loans. People applying for Disabled Facilities Grants are routinely referred to the agency by Cheshire Social Services for support through the process. Similarly, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council inform people applying for Decent Homes Equity Loans of the agency’s role in providing help if needed. If no grant is available then staff will tell you about the different options available to pay for the work including charitable money and private finance. In the past year we have helped with:

• Bathroom/toilet adaptations
• Ramped access
• Stairlifts
• Re-roofing/roofing repairs
• Electrical rewires or upgrades
• Replacement windows and doors
• Extensions to provide ground floor bedroom and shower facilities
• Full renovation packages, including helping find temporary accommodation whilst works are carried out.

Accident/Falls Prevention Service

This service aims to carry out small scale repairs and adaptations which could help prevent accidents in the home. The service operates primarily with Age Concern’s Falls Project. A home visit is made to assess risks and offer advice. Minor repairs and adaptation works are referred to be carried out by our Small Repairs Technician. The type of work covered includes:

• Grab rails in bathroom or shower.
• Mop stick rails to stairs.
• Small ramps.
• Half steps to help safe access in/out of doors.
• Securing trailing wires.
• Securing stair treads and carpet thresholds.

Home Security Service

The agency is currently working in partnership with Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council to provide home security improvements to help people feel safer in their own homes. The scheme is open to homeowners (council tax band A B or C, who must be over 65 years or in receipt of a means tested benefit to qualify for a grant of up to £300. Security measures available include:

• Five lever mortise locks.
• Window locks.
• Bolts.
• Door chains and spy viewers.
• Minor items of boundry security.

Small Repairs Service

Since July 2007, we have been trying to respond to the demand from older and disabled homeowners for help with small repairs around the house. It is often difficult and expensive to call someone out for small jobs such as fitting a shelf or putting up a curtain rail. Our technician can now attend to such items for a reasonable private charge.

Signposting

In addition to providing the above services to our customers, the Staying Put staff make referrals to other agencies which may be able to help them:

• Social Services Access team.
• Ellesmere Port Council grants department.
• Fair Trades register.
• Warm Front.
• Age Concern.
• Pensions Service.
• Citizens Advice Bureau.