Local charity Age UK Norfolk, based in Old Catton, is celebrating the launch of its Home Domestic Service, Household Helpers, on Monday 22 November following a successful pilot at Grays Fair Court, the charity’s Community Support Centre in New Costessey.

Kate Rudkin, Head of Development and Operations said: “Household Helpers is a Social Enterprise. Older people told me that they were having some difficulties managing their homes but were worried about employing someone they did not know. I realised we could help people and support the charity too.”

Tenants from Grays Fair Court’s Housing with Support and Care flats have been highly complimentary of the service. Norma Mallett, who is registered partially sighted, commented: “It is a great weight taken off my mind knowing that I haven’t got to do my laundry and housework myself.” Ken, a double amputee, added: “It makes life a lot easier knowing that my housework, washing and ironing are done for me and all to a very high standard.”

Household Helpers has been designed with all ages in mind. In addition to providing a standard cleaning service, it also offers help with other domestic jobs in and around the home such as laundry and ironing, changing bed linen, shampooing carpets, defrosting fridge freezers, spring cleaning and collecting prescriptions from your local pharmacy. Another useful option is regular supermarket shopping using the internet via our Customer Contact Team.

Household Helpers puts the customer in control – you simply choose from the menu of cleaning services on offer, select a day and time that suits you and decide whether you would like a regular or one-off service.

There are no employment worries as all Household Helpers are hand selected by Age UK Norfolk, carry identity cards and are CRB checked, as well as being provided with extensive training.

A free, no-obligation in-home consultation is carried out to discuss the customer’s domestic needs and to provide a tailor made plan that meets each individual customer’s requirements.

Household Helpers is available in Norwich and its northern suburbs followed by availability across the county. All customers who book an appointment with Household Helpers by 24 December 2010 will receive the first four weeks of their service at a special introductory price of £12.50 per hour.

The regular price for the service is £14.25 per hour, purchased initially as a one hour slot, with the flexibility to add further 30 minute slots depending on the requirements of the client.

For further information, or to book an appointment, please call the Customer Contact Team on 01603 785200 or 01603 785262 or email [email protected].

Age UK Norfolk offers a wide range of support services for older people and their carers in your community. These include a free information and advice helpline (available 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday), telephone befriending, benefits advice, support to people in their own homes with personal administration and financial management and much more. Contact 01603 787111 or visit www.acnorfolk.org.uk for further information.