The free security available to older and vulnerable people from the Home Office's Safer Homes Fund ends on 31 March. This is a great opportunity to get locks, chains, spyholes, mirrors and in some instances larger items like new doors or door frames installed to make people's homes safer.

Available in Crime Hot Spot areas throughout England (and Wales), the Home Office aims to install security in 60,000 homes, but due to the Christmas closedown and the bad weather in January, take-up has in some areas not been as great as anticipated. Make sure your clients do not miss out on this 'once in a lifetime' offer from the government and get referrals in now.

The Home Office has appointed over 90 handyperson schemes to undertake the installation, and all schemes are accredited and CRB checked. To find out whether your area has a scheme, go to the Grantsadmin website. Referrals can be made direct to your local handyperson installer.

If you want to know more, contact your local handyperson co-ordinator:
• Government Office regions North West and West Midlands: James Stock, 0161 234 4703
• Government Office regions North East, Yorkshire & Humber and East Midlands: Sarah Best, 0113 200 9155
• Government Office regions South West, South East, East of England or London: Keith Williams, 07875 291918