KAYE Townsend is a qualified, BACP registered, person-centred counsellor with a private practice in Flackwell Heath, Bucks. She is currently writing a self-help book, write articles for various publications & work as a volunteer counsellor for a local charity.

Here she answers letters in her Bucks Free Press agony aunt column.

Dear Kaye, I’m an elderly lady who lives alone. I often have small jobs around the house & garden that I need help with but no-one seems to want to help. I have tried calling various handyman ads in the local paper but no-one gets back to me. I think they feel the jobs aren’t big enough to make it worth their while but to me they are really important. It would be ideal to have one man who can do lots of different jobs rather than having to contact several different people. I have trees that need topping, fascia that needs painting, repairs around the garden, the list is endless. Kaye, is there anyone who I can contact who will help me with my ever growing list?

Margaret, 78, Beaconsfield.

Dear Margaret,

It’s so frustrating when you have jobs that you can’t do yourself, I completely understand, I also have a long list! I find it sad that people don’t even consider you worth a return call, let alone want to help.

Gone are the days when you ask a neighbour to help, most of us never see them as they go about their busy lives. It would be nice to hear that people check on elderly neighbours to see if they need any help, it could be as simple as replacing that light bulb on the landing that can’t be reached by an elderly or disabled person & this can be so important to them as it may become a hazard at night.

Perhaps you could place a small advert yourself for a regular handyman. It would be worth the expense in the long run knowing you had a contact for someone who could pop in as & when you need them.

For now Margaret, I have the contact details below of a family business who advertise as being able to help with most jobs, however small.

Best wishes, Kaye.

Loudwater Ladders – 01494 812243