Story by Glennroy Lannaman
The Home Owners Maintenance and Advice Scheme has been running DIY classes for owners taking part in the scheme. The New Deal funded project aims to help and encourage owners to identify and carry out external repairs to their home.
The DIY classes, held at The Stables in Abbeyfield Park, show owners how to carry out particular repairs. So far, the classes have covered topics, such as: how to use power tools, pointing, rendering, changing door locks and handles, plumbing, and preparation and painting of woodwork. We have both male and female tutors leading the classes. The classes are very much “hands on” and have been greatly enjoyed by all that have attended, proving you are never too young or old to learn a new skill.
The classes held in September and October provided crèche facilities and an interpreting service was available on request. These services allowed all interested owners to be able to attend.
At the end of each class all owners that had attended were asked to fill in a class evaluation. The feedback was very positive with 95% finding the class excellent.
The classes are due to restart in the spring of 2005 once the winter months are over. Due to the popularity of certain classes they will be repeated to allow everyone to have a chance to improve their DIY skills. Some new classes will be included, looking at internal work such as hanging doors and tiling. All the tools used in the classes are from the Toolbank based in Abbeyfield House and are available for loan by anyone living in the Burngreave area.
The phone number for the Toolbank is 244 0353. If there are any owner occupiers interested in attending future classes please phone Glennroy Lannaman or Annemarie Johnston on 273 4623.