Manchester Care and Repair

09/06/2026

If you or someone you know would benefit from extra support during a power cut you can sign up to the free Electricity North West Extra Care Register.

It's free to join and includes:

• Early weather warnings to help you prepare
• Advance notice of planned power cuts
• Regular updates
• A nominated friend or family member scheme
• Hot meals or additional services during longer power cuts for households struggling the most.

It’s open to anyone who thinks they may struggle to cope during a power cut.

To sign up, visit: https://www.enwl.co.uk/power-cuts/extra-care/our-extra-care-register/

08/06/2026

If you are new to our services, pay council tax to Manchester City Council, and are aged 60 or over, you’ll be offered a free Home Safety Assessment. One of our handypeople will visit you at home, identify any safety issues, and suggest ways to make your home safer.

For more information, speak to our team on 0161 872 5500

05/06/2026

Are you a local tradesperson who would like to help serve our clients?

We have work for all trades but are particularly keen to talk to gardeners, cleaners, painters and decorators, general builders, heating engineers, and any female-led trades companies.

🔗 Interested? Fill in the form and someone from our team will be in touch: https://careandrepair-manchester.org.uk/trusted-contractors/

04/06/2026

🛠️ Did you know that many of the measures we take to keep your home warm in winter also help keep it cool in the summer?

Two of our most effective services include:

🔹 Draught-proofing: Applying weather-stripping or caulking to doors and windows helps trap cool air inside while preventing hot air from entering.
🔹 Curtains: Installing or repairing curtains - especially those that block direct sunlight - significantly reduces the amount of heat entering your home during the day.

‣ Who is eligible?
These services are carried out by our Handyperson Team and are available to anyone aged 60+. If you are under 60, you can still access the service if referred by a health or social care professional.

‣ What is the cost?
The service is free of charge - you only pay for the cost of the materials needed to complete the work.

ℹ️ Questions?
If you would like to find out more, please speak to our team on 0161 872 5500

03/06/2026

Our Casework Service is a personal, accessible lifeline for older residents in Manchester. We help people who are struggling to navigate a complex benefits system during a time in life when they need it most.

Our Caseworkers visit residents in their home, and work closely with them, their families, and our wider Manchester Care & Repair teams to resolve issues related to housing, income, transport, and bills, and more.

To learn more about this service, take a look at our Casework Team Impact Report: https://shorturl.at/K1dOE

03/06/2026

02/06/2026

🛠️ Has it been more than a year since your boiler was last serviced?

We are working in partnership with Gas Safe Charity to provide free boiler services for eligible households. If you are a homeowner living in Manchester and are on a low income, disabled, or aged 60+, you may be eligible for this support.

☎️ To request your service or to find out more, please contact our team on 0161 872 5500.

01/06/2026

🏡 Help us turn a house into a home.

It’s hard to imagine life without a warm kettle for a morning brew, clean bedding, or a working washing machine. Yet, for many of the people we support, this is a daily reality.

Too many of our older neighbours in Manchester are going without the simple basics needed for a dignified life. Our Home Comforts Fund provides these essential items directly to those who need them most.

If you can, please donate to this fund. Every penny goes toward providing essential everyday items, and they do make a very real difference to someone in your neighbourhood.

Donate here: https://careandrepair-manchester.org.uk/donations/

29/05/2026

What on earth is a "cranked" grab rail? 🧐

Unlike standard flat rails, a cranked grab rail is angled away from the wall or door frame for two very important reasons:

✊ Knuckle protection: It gives your fingers plenty of room so you don't scrape the wall.
🚪 Doorway safety: It lets you keep a firm grip while walking through a doorway without the rail blocking your path.

It's one of the home safety aids our Handyperson Team can install in the homes of older or disabled people who are struggling to move around safely.

If you want to learn more about our Handyperson Services, take a look at our website, or speak to our team on 0161 872 5500.

ℹ️ https://careandrepair-manchester.org.uk

28/05/2026

Most buildings in the UK aren't designed for very warm summers. If you're finding it hard to keep your home cool, here are some tips that are easy to apply and cost-effective.

✅ Keep warm air out during the day and ventilate at night.
During the hottest parts of the day, it's best to close windows to keep the warmer air out. Then, wait until the cooler times of the day to open windows.

✅ Close curtains and blinds
Even with the windows closed, sun shining through the glass can warm your home up quickly. Make sure to cover windows during the day to protect from direct sunlight with blinds, curtains, shutters, or even a sheet.

✅ Avoid generating more heat
Turn off and unplug appliances and electronics when they're not in use, and avoid having too many lights on. Consider cooking at cooler times of the day, or choose meals that don't require the use of an oven or hob.

✅ Use fans
Electric fans can help ventilate your home, but only if the temperature is below 35 degrees, otherwise you risk spreading warm air around. Ceiling fans can quickly cool a room because they push cooler air down. You can also place portable fans to improve airflow.

✅ Create a cool room
It can be hard to keep an entire home cool, so aim to create a specific area by choosing one or two rooms like a bedroom, or sitting room, to keep cool instead. Keep windows covered and shut and close doors to stop warm air entering.

✅ Find a cool space
If you are struggling to keep cool in your home, public spaces like libraries, shopping centres and supermarkets may be cooler.

ℹ️ If you want more tips, take a look at this useful guide by the British Red Cross: https://shorturl.at/Mdfbp