The introduction of a new handyperson service has brought joy for many local housing Trust customers for who getting someone to do the odd jobs around the home can leave them blowing a gasket.

Gary Greenhalgh, 54, is providing a free service to Halton Housing Trust’s customers by helping them to put up shelves, build furniture and hang doors.

Mary Harvey, Area Manager for Widnes, said the Trust had employed Gary after listening to the needs of its customers.

“There is no job too big or too small for Gary,” he said. “We asked our customer group what their priorities were and this was one of the services they wanted to see introduced so that is what we have done.”

Gary, from Clifton, is good at sorting the problems that can leave many people stumped.

So far, he has been busy fixing fireplaces, changing toilet seats and putting up shelves for Trust customers struggling to do it for themselves.

“It doesn’t matter to me if it is the Queen or someone living in one of our homes in Runcorn and Widnes, I just love to help people,” he said.

“I was made redundant and thought because I was in my 50s I would struggle to find a job so it is great that the Trust has given me this chance.”

Gary learnt his trade from his dad who would take him out to do odd jobs when he was just 10 years old.

He went on to become an electrician and worked for a leading electrical company.

His role with the Trust, which manages 6,150 homes in Runcorn and Widnes, has mainly focussed on helping older residents but any customer can request his help.

Noel Sharpe, Director of Customer Services, said his appointment showed how the Trust listened to their customers.

“This was something that many of our customers wanted and we had a gap in our services to which we have responded,” she said. “It is already proving popular and Gary is doing a great job.”

You can contact the Trust’s handyperson service on 0800 0407449 or 0303 3330339.