Minor Adaptations & Safety Works

Blaenau Gwent Care & Repair provides a free Rapid Response Safety at Home/ Adaptations service for people who are in hospital awaiting discharge, have recently been discharged from hospital, or at risk of being admitted because of an unsafe/unsuitable home.

Small grants, from the Welsh Assembly Government or Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Social Services are accessed to fund the necessary works.

The types of works involved are as follows:

• External or Internal Hand Rails
• Grab Rails
• Small Ramps
• Levelling/Widening Paths
• Door Entry Systems/Alarms
• Keysafes
• Safety in the Home (eg. Floor and Stair Safety, additional lighting, electrical safety)
• Assistive Technology

To obtain grant assistance, referrals must come from a health or social services professional. We will speak to the referral agency on your behalf and/or arrange for one of our officers to come to your home to discuss your needs. In most cases, grant assistance is limited to £350 per case.

Safety at Home Checks

All clients homes’ visited by our officers will be given a simple check to ensure that any present or potential maintenance, repair or adaptation works are brought to your attention. If you wish, we can then assist in carrying out the identified works, via the above Minor Adaptations & Safety Grants, the Handyperson Service or the Home Repairs Advice and Support Service.

In addition, a free security and fire safety check will be undertaken and, if necessary, referrals will be made to:

• The Gwent Police Bobby Scheme - for the installation of free security measures
• The South Wales Fire Service – for fire safety advice and the installation of smoke alarms