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About us

Staying Put – Harborough, Rutland and Melton is a not-for-profit Home Improvement Agency. We work in partnership with Harborough District and Melton Borough Councils, who fund us along with Leicestershire Adult Social Care and Supporting People in Leicestershire.

Our aim is to help disabled and older people gain and maintain their independence, by repairing and adapting their homes.

We assist and support our customers with everything from minor repairs to major adaptations. Some of the areas you may require help with are:

• Replacement doors and windows.
• Repair or replace leaking roofs.
• Security grants.
• Central Heating and boilers
• Installation of level access showers.
• Stair lifts and through-floor lifts.
• Improved access.
• Extensions to provide bedroom or bathroom facilities.

Core services

A major part of our core service involves giving assistance to customers with:

• The funding process including any grant entitlement
• The technical requirements
• Engagement of preferred contractors
• Maximising client’s income through applications for welfare benefits
• Inspecting work on site

This allows our customers to feel relaxed about the whole process. They know that the work is being arranged for them and is in safe hands. Most importantly, they do not have the stress of managing repairs, adaptations or improvements themselves.

Our technical service includes

• Surveys
• Schedules of work
• Applications for planning or other consent where appropriate
• Tendering for work
• Monitoring contractors on site
• Final certification

Depending on the type of work you have carried out, you can contact us for up to 12 months after the work is completed to discuss any problems that may have developed during this time.

We can assist you whether you live in a flat, house, mobile home, listed building or even houseboat.

Our service offers you confidential advice, support and assistance. All of our staff are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.

How does our service work?

Anyone is able to contact us to discuss our service, including the individual, carers, relatives, friends or professionals (such as occupational therapists, care managers etc).

We will arrange to visit you in your home to discuss your needs and complete a site survey.

• If we are the appropriate agency for you we will help you with the decisions that need to be made with regard to the work to be done
• We will help you identify ways in which the work can be financed
• We will obtain quotes, select contractors only from our preferred list and inspect work on site
• We will help you with any disruption that may be caused during work and any unexpected faults that may appear once work is completed
• If we are not the answer for you we will do our best to put you in touch with the right people for your needs

How do I pay for the cost of the work?

There are various ways of funding any work done:

1.   Equity Release

Some customers opt to release some of the value in their home to finance repairs and home improvements. By improving your home, you can increase the value by more than the amount you released via equity release. You should always contact an independent financial advisor to discuss what type of equity release would suit your circumstances and home best.

2.   Savings / Loans

Some customers opt to pay for work from their savings. Others may wish to consider a loan, from a family member or a bank, Building society or Credit Union.

3.   Grants

Some customers receive grants from Harborough and Melton Councils. We can advise you on your entitlement to any financial help.

We can help you to fill in forms and will liaise with local authority staff to keep you informed of progress.

Normally, funding is provided through a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). These are available to assist with funding disabled adaptations. The DFG process can include a test of resources.

4.  Charitable Funding

If you do not qualify for a local authority grant it may be possible, depending on the amount required, to find funding from a charitable organisation - for example, you may have been a member of a trade union who could assist you with funding. We can approach charities on your behalf, and assist you with completing the application forms.

How much will I have to pay Anchor?

Our advisory service is always free. We do charge a technical cost of 10% of the net cost, which includes surveys, preparation of schedules of works, specifications, quotations, monitoring, and final certification. More detail on the breakdown of fees can be given during our initial visit, which is always free.

This technical cost is usually included in any grant for which you may be eligible and may also be included in charitable applications for funding.

All other advice and support offered by Anchor Staying Put is free .