Polly has lived in Borehamwood for some 33 years. She loves her small home, which has a cottage like feel, and when she moved there she was "a bit of a DIY fanatic', decorating and even tackling “the electrics.” Now in her mid-70s and with a poorly back, sadly she can no longer undertake such tasks. However Communities 1st and the handyperson service has come to the rescue. She has used the service on several occasions and is very impressed by the work that has been done.
Things came to a head in April 2020, when her husband Ivor sadly passed away after she had cared fo him for several years. Polly misses him and felt his loss acutely. She received help from the Age UK telephone bereavement counselling service, but the practical jobs were mounting. Getting practical jobs around the house done has helped Polly have one thing less to worry about.
Polly cannot speak highly enough of Prahlad, her Communities 1st handyperson. He has undertaken many jobs for her, including helping her with gardening and trimming her forsythia and her lilac. He pressure cleaned the brick areas of her garden; fixed her gate; patched and painted her fence a lovely pale blue; sorted out the loft ladder and put down some new timber in the loft!
Polly feels that Prahlad is skillful, helpful, polite, and kind. “He is such a lovely guy,” she commented, always happy to see her and say hello. "He seems to really enjoy his work, and nothing is too much trouble.” Polly feels the charity's work is inspiring – so much so, she says, “that if I could, I would be a volunteer myself.”
I enjoyed talking to Polly about her life and as so often happens, I learnt something new from her. Before she retired Polly was a podiatrist. I didn’t really know what podiatry is – but I do now! In her working life Polly has helped many people with their feet and it seems only right that she is now getting some well deserved help herself.
Written by Chris Cloke