Graham Parkes admits he has always been handy around the house.
The retired engineer is now putting that skill to good use as a volunteer in home repair for the North Shore Better At Home Program.
The non-profit service supports local seniors with basic, non-medical services to help them stay in their homes and remain independent. The Better At Home program is funded by the government of B.C. and managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland. It’s delivered on the North Shore by North Shore Community Resources.
As a volunteer for the program, Parkes provides simple home repairs to seniors in need, including replacing light fixtures, painting handrails, or hanging blinds.
“I really enjoy it. And I like doing things with my hands anyway,” says Parkes, who has been volunteering with the program for a year. “I love helping people out, whether it’s friends or neighbours.” A few years back he helped his sister install a kitchen and still helps his three kids when called on.
Parkes, who lives in West Vancouver, says it’s easy to keep busy because there’s so much to do, especially for seniors.
“I’ve never been busier since I’ve been retired,” he notes. “If you want to occupy your days and keep busy, and meet people or do things, it’s out there.”
In the past year with the home repair program, Parkes has had about 70 visits in total, six visits per month with about 25 different clients. Most of the visits last two hours, some last a little longer or a little shorter depending on the job.
Although he knows the general task before he arrives, often there are a few more little fixes he tends to when he gets to a client’s home.
“It’s time, but it is time I do have,” he says of his commitment to the program.
A big part of the appeal of volunteering is meeting a diverse “mosaic” of people.
“I love meeting people, I love helping people. It’s endlessly fascinating to meet some of these people and they almost invariably want to talk and quite often they’re on their own and I’m relatively gregarious so we get chatting,” says Parkes.
Sometimes he has to be creative to think of solutions to problems, such as with one of his recent clients who had a stool with no nails, no screws, just ingenious jointing that was collapsing.
“Now that’s hardly home repair but it meant so much to her. It had been in the family for years,” explains Parkes. He was able to fix the stool and the client was very pleased.
“I love that sort of challenge,” says Parkes.
According to information from the organization, last year volunteers provided 755 services to 160 seniors living on the North Shore. The group is always looking for more help. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Better at Home program can contact program co-ordinator Josh Cook at 604-982-3313 or [email protected]. Volunteers are currently needed to help clients with driving, small tasks, and yard work.
