Subject: Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. Recognition Awards

Recipient – Mr Colin Miers – Anchor Staying Put.

Date – 13th December 2007

Jim’ll fix it, Bob can build it – Colin Miers can do both!!!!!!!!

Anchor Staying Put in Brentwood is a not-for-profit home improvement agency that has been established in Brentwood for 13 years. It offers valuable assistance to older and disabled people by carrying out repairs, improvements and adaptations to their properties. It is located in offices behind the Register Office in Brentwood. They work in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council and other local organisations.

Currently there are 52 Staying Put agencies operating throughout England. Each agency is dedicated to improving the quality of life for older and vulnerable people by providing advice and assistance with repairs and adaptations to their properties. Besides our core services each agency responds to local circumstances and needs, leading to the provision of a number of complimentary services.

Today’s society is structured in such a way that very often families are no longer living nearby which leaves the older people feeling more vulnerable and alone. Some are afraid that they may not be able to remain in their own homes because they do not have the practical help that they often need. Anchor Staying Put – Brentwood provides an inexpensive service by a reliable and honest Small Repairs Technician dedicated to solving those jobs that they can longer tackle.

Colin Miers, the Small Repairs Technician, is nominated for the Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award for his dedication to Anchor Staying Put and the Brentwood community which goes far beyond the call of duty. He is a cheerful and solidly dependable man. “To many elderly and disabled people he is a knight in shining armour”. Said Sandy Doyland, Office manager, who went on to say that “To Anchor Staying Put he is a much valued member of staff”

In the last year he carried out over 700 jobs, 163 were security related. In the last two quarters he has completed over 40 home fire safety checks and installed over 100 smoke detectors. Not only does he carry out all minor carpentry repairs he will change light bulbs, replace tap washers, install locks, bolts, fit grab rails, unblock sinks, extend telephone lines, put up shower

curtains as well as fit key safes. He is always prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty. He also offers friendly free advice.

He is the chap who will turn up on a doorstep with a toolbox in his hand and a wealth of practical experience behind him. You know when he is approaching as you can hear him whistling his favourite tune long before you see him.

He has a pleasant, tranquil nature, dulcet tones and remains cool and in control in all situations as well as the practical help he can offer. It is exactly the sort of temperament and the reassurance that you are not alone that an upset elderly person needs in times of crisis.

He has been working at Anchor Staying Put - Brentwood for 7 years and is well known and appreciated in and around the Brentwood area. He is trusted and appreciated in all aspects of his life. He has strong views on respect and treating people as he would wish to be treated. He has had no thought of full time retirement and has actually increased his hours due to the huge demand of people needing his help. He finds his job very rewarding and he gets tremendous satisfaction helping to keep people safe and secure in their own homes.

His talents do not stop at repairs, public relations or just plain good heartedness: a family man with 2 lovely dogs, Colin enjoys bird watching and classic cars. He is a keen and talented member of the Howard Wallace Chorale.

In his own time, and unpaid, Colin gives talks on home safety and security and other Anchor services to various groups e.g. coffee mornings, community centres, church groups, women’s groups and charitable organisations.

Comment from Chamber Chairman: Roger Kelsey, the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce Chairman said “We are delighted to honour Colin in this way as his service to the community has clearly been outstanding” “We wish both Colin And Anchor Staying Put a very successful continued future in their care for the elderly and disabled folk in their homes”

Comments from some clients:
“Colin was very pleasant and helpful. He was prompt, efficient, thorough and clean. I wish I had known about the service sooner. It is a great service for small household jobs.”

“Excellent service - a great relief to have the jobs done.”

“I am so pleased to have found you. As a woman on my own it is very difficult to find reliable and trustworthy people for even small jobs.”
The service is invaluable for these small jobs one cannot do oneself but a commercial person wants to be bother with – at least not without a large fee.”
I am 64 and recently widowed. I know now where to find help as I was worried about who to let in now that I live alone.”

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is very happy to support nominations from businesses and organisations in Brentwood for their employees who have shown commitment and dedication in a wide variety of ways for this prestigious local recognition award. Please contact the Chamber Office on Brentwood if you have some one you would like to nominate.
More information is available via the website www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk

Brentwood Information Centre, Pepperell House, 44 High Street, Brentwood, Essex. CM14 4AJ

Contact: Mike Hawkins, Secretary
Telephone Number (01277) 214814
Fax Number (01277) 214814
Web Site: www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk
e-mail: info@brentwoodchambers.co.uk