about us staff team working with the community how we are funded compliments and complaints case study customer care standardstargetsenvironment get involved contact us newsanchor staying put main site

Anchor Staying Put (IOW) is a not-for-profit Home Improvement Agency run by Anchor Trust in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council. We provide a service that is designed to help both older and disabled people who are homeowners, housing association tenants or private tenants.

Over 23% of Island residents are over the age of 60 according to the 2002 Census and that figure is set to increase yearly. As it does, so will a need for adaptations and improvements.

In 2002 it was estimated that £11.49million was need to bring all privately-owned houses up to a reasonable standard on the Island. It also estimated that 11% of privately rented housing was in poor condition.

The Agency was set up to deal with these needs and consider ways in which new services could be delivered. Although a new Agency (set up in Spring 05) we are already making a huge impact and look forward to further improving and expanding our service. We provide two types of services,a core service which deals with more major works and a small repairs service that deals with works that will take up to two hours to complete. Our core service is dedicated to improving the quality of life of our customers by providing advice and assistance with adaptations, improvements and repairs to their properties that will enable them to remain safe, secure, warm and independent in their own homes.

Core Service Information (for information on our new small repairs service please read the news page.  We will be updating our website soon to provide more information on this new service).

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

• the funding process
• a technical service
• engagement of preferred contractors
• maximising 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 Criminal Records Bureau checked.

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, and we can provide a list of all independent financial advisors on the Island.

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. The Credit Union provides a Home Improvement Loan up to £2500 at 2.53%APR (call 01983 559100 for more information).

3 Grants

Some customers receive grants from the Isle of Wight Council. 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. DFG’s are means tested.

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 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.

This technical cost is usually included in any grant for which you may be eligible and may be included in charitable applications for funding. All other advice and support offered by Anchor Staying Put is free.

What work do we do?

• Our work is varied and includes:
• Bathroom adaptations / improvements (inc. walk-in showers).
• Kitchen adaptations / improvement.
• Extensions (to incorporate washing and toilet facilities, an extra bedroom etc).
• Access ramps.
• Structural house repairs.
• Stair lifts and through floor lifts.
• Roof repairs.
• Plumbing.
• Rewiring.
• Replacement windows and doors