Neath Port Talbot
Posted on Thu 19 June 2008
Project: Helping Hands Home Maintenance Scheme (HHHMS)/ Care & Repair
As a result the LA, Local Panel and funded group realised the need to consider external factors when deciding to upscale or downscale projects.
Summary
Priority: Provide long-term unemployed and economically inactive individuals with skills development and transitional job opportunities.
About
There is only one project being funded in Neath Port Talbot - the Helping Hands Home Maintenance Scheme (HHHMS).
In June 2008, it was realised that in order to cover the costs of running this service, the charge incurred by customers needed to be increased. It was also realised that the demand for services was much higher than was first anticipated. In addition to this, services, such as those offered by HHHMS, were not being met by other service providers, nor were there any indicators that other organisations planned to address the need for these services in the foreseeable future.
The decision was made by the Fair Share Trust panel and the group to raise the cost of the service, however unfortunately this coincided with the recession. Instead of the demand for work increasing it began to fall.
This experience has led all involved to consider external factors when deciding to upscale or downscale projects. In this instance it would have been helpful if we had realised the price sensitivity of the client base which are the elderly and disabled. Older people in the community have a more 'make do and mend' attitude and therefore some jobs were cancelled or not requested.
One of the ways this has been addressed is by using available business mechanisms, such as discounting to boost the short term demand, that has helped maintain the profile of the project and to ensure that the goals of the project are met.