Member Article

Heroes4Hire Partners with Merseyside Charity

Merseyside charity Age UK Mid Mersey, has joined forces with the recently launched Heroes4Hire, a business employing UK ex-servicemen as handymen.

Announced today, the partnership will see Heroes4Hire and Age UK Mid Mersey, launch a handyman service to meet the needs of local older people across the Merseyside region.

Brainchild of ex-RAF serviceman, Nigel Blanchard, Heroes4Hire has created a pool of fully qualified handymen exclusively comprised of ex-armed forces personnel. These former soldiers, sailors, and airmen have been fully trained in property maintenance, including repairs, tiling, plastering, plumbing, carpentry, painting and decorating before being given a job.

Commenting, Blanchard said: “For many service personnel, leaving the army and getting back into civilian life is very hard. A large proportion are left with post traumatic illnesses and trying to secure a new job can be extremely stressful. I launched Heroes4Hire to address this and we are delighted to have secured a partnership with Age UK Mid Mersey.

He continued: “For a lot of older people, jobs in the home become difficult to manage and many worry about who they can trust to carry out the work, with cost and quality being the two major concerns. We have joined forces with Age UK Mid Mersey to offer local pensioners an approved handyman service which helps alleviate these worries.”

Age UK Mid Mersey, Chief Executive Officer, Mark Lunney, said: “Our call centre was receiving an increasing number of enquiries for recommendations of suppliers of home repairs; anything from leaks and squeaks to gardening and plumbing. When Heroes4Hire approached us, it seemed a natural fit.

He continued: “Both organisations are passionate about older, vulnerable people and share common values. The collaboration assures clients who need it, would be offered advice on a range of information and services from Age UK and at the same time have confidence in accessing reliable skilled tradesperson with a veteran background”.

The service operates on a very transparent and affordable cost model, with tradesmen being charged on an hourly, half day and full day rate, as well as a special discounted rate offered for people over 65. A home safety and security check is a standard part of the service.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gail Titchener .