An Edinburgh -based charity which assists older and disabled people to continue to live safely at home in the Capital is calling for people to dig out their toolboxes and donate any tools they no longer use.

Graham Harper, CEO of Care and Repair Edinburgh has urged anyone with spare or unused tools to let the charity know and one of their team will come and collect them for use by one of their volunteers or dedicated joiners.

Mr Harper said: “Last year was Care and Repair Edinburgh’s busiest year so far and as the demand for our services rises, our volunteers are short of tools. If anyone has tools in the garage or at home that they no longer use, our team would put them to very good use.

“We are also looking for more volunteers to join us to give a helping hand across a wide range of DIY jobs which range from changing a light bulb, tuning in someone’s TV, helping them with a computer or putting up shelves. Last year we helped over 5,000 older and disabled people stay safely and independently in their own homes.

“Our volunteers cover all parts of the city and if anyone has any tools to donate, we would be happy to collect them. Just telephone us on 0131 337 1111 and let us know. In the same way, if anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer call us for more information or have a look at the website: www.careandrepairedinburgh.org.uk.”

From arranging a home-from-hospital adaptation by a trusted tradesman to offering a helping hand and a listening ear to often lonely older people, Care and Repair Edinburgh’s dedicated, hardworking and experienced team of staff and volunteers provides a one-stop-shop to provide assistance to older and disabled people.

Care and Repair Edinburgh, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has a team of volunteers who do odd jobs for older and disabled people to keep them living safely, independently and securely at home and out of hospital. The charity also has a dedicated joinery service which provides quality and affordable home improvement services.

The charity assisted over 5,000 people in 2015 – a seventeen percent increase in demand for its service. The team of volunteers carried out 1,370 small DIY handyperson jobs in 2015. The charity organised 1,779 trade referral jobs and 143 people were assisted with advice and referral to a trusted trader list. Fifty nine people received assistance with a home adaption and 368 people had small joinery work undertaken at reduced rates by the charity’s dedicated joiners. The charity extended its activities in 2015 with the addition of funded gas repairs and the appointment of a full time dedicated key safe fitter.

Care and Repair Edinburgh can assist with hospital discharges and enable people to make a quick, smooth and lasting transition from hospital care to their own homes. The charity often undertakes work at the homes of hospital patients to meet their needs and help speed up discharges. During 2015, 1,290 patients were also assisted to leave hospital through the installation of a keysafe at their home.