A SCHEME set up to help older people in the Okehampton area feel safer in their homes has been given a further boost following a £9,000 Millennium award in August.
The Okehampton Handipersons scheme, which is run by Okehampton Action Forum, has received a £500 grant from the South and West Devon Health Authority.
The money will be put towards fitting intercom systems and spyholes in elderly residents homes so they will know who is calling before answering the door.
Patrick Shea, who is the founder of Okehampton Action Forum, an organisation helping older people to make their voices heard, said the handipersons scheme was now fully up and running.
People can have work carried out such as installing window locks, bolts and chains and changing locks.
A survey of the home will also be conducted and anything that looks like it could be a danger, such as carpets lifting off the floor can be looked at, he said.
The Help the Aged Millennium Award given to the charity in August, has already helped four elderly residents feel safer in their homes and Mr Shea is keen for other people to contact him so they can take full advantage of these funds.
The awards were made to community projects which were started by people over 60 years. All the work for the handipersons scheme is carried out by pensioners.
Anyone interested in the scheme can pop into the Age Concern office in The Arcade in Okehampton where Okehampton Action Forum is based or phone 01837 54356.