Clár ICH CLG
Care and Repair Programme

Project Description

Clár ICH’s Care and Repair Programme was launched on the 19th February 2009 at the Clár IRD offices in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. With the assistance of the Dormant Accounts fund Clár ICH were in a position to employ a general operative; Michael Prenty, for two years as well as purchase a van and essential maintenance equipment.

Care and Repair involves a general operative visiting the homes of the elderly and undertaking minor repair works in their homes. Such jobs include changing light bulbs, cleaning gutters, essential garden maintenance, security locks and smoke alarms amongst others. Clients are often referred by the HSE, Public Health Nurse and Mayo County Council. Clár ICH’s Care and Repair Service is a Franchise of Age Action and Alma Gallagher, Manager is a representative of the National Care and Repair Advisory Group.

Application Form

Download the Care and Repair Programme Application Form.

Care and Repair Partnership

The success of the scheme is due to Clár I.C.H.’s ethos of working in partnership with the community, voluntary and statutory sectors. This partnership involves the Local District Health Nurses in Claremorris, the Claremorris Primary Health Care Team, Claremorris Family Resource Centre, Curam Family Resource Centre, all of whom, work closely with the elderly and ensure that those most in need of the scheme avail of it. Such was the demand for the scheme not only in Claremorris but throughout South West Mayo that it became apparent that one man in a van would not be sufficient to deliver the Care and Repair Programme. Thus, with the assistance of the Rural Social Scheme administered by South West Mayo Development Company that the Care and Repair Programme was extended from Claremorris throughout the South West Mayo catchment area. With the assistance of the 161 rural social scheme workers in South West Mayo, Clár ICH is in a strategic position to address jobs as they arise within the area in which the RSS participant is located.

The Dormant Accounts Fund has now come to an end but the demand for the service continues to rise. The Care and Repair partnership has now been extended to Tús who feel that one off maintenance jobs offer quality job placements to participants whilst as the same time addressing a social need.

Good Morning Claremorris

An integral part of the Care and Repair Programme is the delivery of the "Good Morning Claremorris Programme". With the assistance of "Befriending Mayo" and the HSE fifteen volunteers have been trained in a wide range of fields such as communication skills, administration skills and policies and procedures. Volunteers also have had the opportunity to attend ASSIT training. With the assistance of the Community Foundation of Ireland, Dormant Accounts Fund and Mayo County Council, Clár ICH has established a call centre in the Clár IRD offices. Volunteers volunteer two hours on a Wednesday and Thursday to ring the elderly at a time agreed by them.

Financial Request

Clar ICH will be re-launching the Care and Repair Programme in December 2011. With the Dormant Account Fund mow closed there is no funding mechanism to sustain the delivery of the programme. Clients are informed that they must have the necessary material on site for the general operative to carry out the work. However on some occasions clients do not have the financial means to purchase the necessary material.

Clár ICH is applying to Mayo County Council for euro2000 to assist in the delivery of the scheme. Requested funds will be utilised in the following ways:

Discretionary Funds

It is the intention of the partnership to establish a discretionary fund for materials to assist clients purchase essential material necessary to carry out the job.

Cost of Diesel and Overheads

To assist in the maintenance and diesel costs of the Care and Repair Van.

Tax and Insurance

Clár ICH will tax and insure the van from fundraising activities.

Conclusion

The Care and Repair Programme is an accumulation of a three years work from inception to delivery. Such programmes increase the quality of life for the elderly and vulnerable in South West Mayo. Clár ICH strives to assist the elderly by offering a complete home package enabling them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. This is achieved through the delivery of a Cavity and Attic Insulation service, the management and maintenance of the Lawn Social Housing Scheme, the construction of an additional 36 houses and communal facility in Mayfield as well as the delivery of the Care and Repair Programme.