Great Yarmouth Borough Council

Click on the links below for detailed information on specific topics.

Renewal Assistance
Disabled Adaptations
Heating and Energy Efficiency
Home Security
Relocation
Safe at Home
Yare Care Alarms

Home Improvement Grants are currently unavailable at this time.

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Disabled Facility Grants (DFG) are available if you have a disability, to help you live safely and independently at home.

You must first request an assessment of your needs to be carried out by an Occupational Therapist (OT). To request an assessment contact the Norfolk Social Services Access Team on 0844 800 8014. It is important to give them as much detail as you can about the difficulties you are having, as your request will be prioritised.

The OT will make a recommendation to the Borough Council detailing the adaptations you need. These grants are means tested so you might not be eligible to receive a grant for the full cost of the works.

The maximum grant payable is £30,000 and if the cost of the works exceeded this, Norfolk Social Services could provide a discretionary 'top-up' loan if you are unable to meet this cost. The loan would be secured by a charge on your home, which will only be repayable when you sell the property.

You can make a preliminary enquiry about your eligibility for assistance by printing off
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 this form (74kb) and sending it to the renewal team at the above address

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Grants are available if you are receiving an income or disability related benefit through the government’s Warm Front scheme. Improvements that the Warm Front Grant can provide includes loft insulation, draughtproofing, cavity-wall insulation, hot-water-tank insulation, energy-efficient light bulbs, gas,electric or oil central heating. In this area the scheme is run by the Eaga Partnership Ltd. who can be contacted by telephone on (free phone) 0800 316 2814.

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This scheme is targeted towards the elderly, disabled and people on low income. It provides the installation of security measures to properties, such as door and window locks, bolts, and chains, spy holes and kick panels. The service is also available to people who feel threatened and are fearful of becoming the victim of a burglary.

The services are provided free of charge through Norfolk PACT (Partners Against Crime Taskforce). The partnership includes Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Age Concern Norfolk and Norfolk Constabulary. PACT can be contacted on 01603 276306, or you can ask the renewal team about the scheme.

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Relocation could be a more suitable solution for some applicants in preference to renovation, improvement or adaptation of their existing dwelling. This would take into account such things as its general condition and suitability for improvement or adaptation, its location and environment, and the cost effectiveness of the works required to meet the applicant’s needs. Consideration would also be given to ensure that the proposed works met the needs of the applicant both now and into the future.

Assistance could be provided to acquire an alternative property and to dispose of the existing dwelling. This assistance could include legal and financial advice and financial help to acquire the new property using a shared equity agreement.

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Safe at Home is a Home Improvement Agency that provides practical help and advice for older, disabled and vulnerable people needing repairs or adaptations to their homes

If you:

• are over 60, or

• have a disability – or someone in your family living with you has a disability, or

• qualify for income support or council tax benefit – or any other income related benefit

Safe At Home will be able to take the worry out of getting building work done in your home. If you are a lone parent or if you feel vulnerable in some way Safe At Home may be able to help you too. Safe At Home helps people who need to adapt or repair the place where they live so they can continue to live there independently.

What we do

Someone from Safe At Home will visit you to discuss what might need doing to make your home suitable for you in your present circumstances. Then – depending on what you want – Safe At Home can help in a number of practical ways.

This includes:

• preparing plans and specifications for the work

• contacting builders, electricians or whoever, to do the work

• helping you apply for grants that may be available, and

• supervising the work to make sure it is carried out properly.
  

Safe at Home simply makes life easier by giving you free unbiased advice on any aspect of home improvements – and helping you to get it done.

For more information you can contact us at:

Safe at Home, Town Hall
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2QF
Telephone: (01493) 846190
Facsimile: (01493) 846193
Text phone for the Deaf: (01493) 846123
Email: safehome@great-yarmouth.gov.uk

Safe at Home -
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 Customer Enquiry Form (12kb)

Safe At Home is Home Improvement Agency funded by:

• Great Yarmouth Borough Council

• Norfolk County Council

• Great Yarmouth Primary Care Trust
  

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Yare Care Community Alarm provides a 24-hour response service, particularly for people on their own, people with a disability, or those at risk.
If you need help, press your alarm or pendant and this will alert our staff.
Information which you have provided yourself is held on our computer, which helps us to help you.

Trained staff are there to respond to your call by:

• giving reassurance.

• calling a member of your family, or a friend.

• contacting your doctor.

• contacting the emergency services or sending a member of our staff if your nominated person to contact is not available.

Help is always at hand if you:

• want to remain independent at home.

• are recovering from an illness or operation.

• need help with an injured partner.

• fall.

• become ill.

• have an accident.

For information about this service, or a free demonstration, call us now on:01493 852783 or 01493 330369

Am I eligible?
Anyone living in the Great Yarmouth Borough Council area can apply.

What do I need to join the service?
A modern telephone point and electric socket close together.

Can I still use my telephone?
Yes.

How quickly will my call be answered?
Within seconds, our staff will be speaking to you through the alarm.

What if I cannot speak or hear?
The alarm will tell us who and where you are, so we will send someone to help you.

Will the alarm work anywhere?
It can be used in your house or garden.

Equipment can be purchased, please ask for details.

Charges are invoiced quarterly for rental and annually for monitoring only. Charges for council tenants are added to their weekly rent.

Charges are subject to review annually from 1st April.

Use the online form below to contact us about getting a Yare Care Alarm.

Form - Contact