Pictured above: Apprentice Jack Holmes with Russell Cotton, Aspire Housing's handyman

A leading North Staffordshire housing association is offering a helping hand to elderly, disabled and disadvantaged tenants.

Aspire Housing has launched its new handyman service, free of charge to those that need a little bit of assistance with odd jobs around the home.

The handyman does what it says on the tin - provides a helping hand for those who need it, from changing a light bulb, hanging a curtain rail to helping new tenants move in.

The service is provided by one man, Russell Cotton, and the opportunity has certainly created plenty of job satisfaction for the 50-year-old.

Russell, from Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, has worked as a garden team supervisor for PM Training - a social enterprise that tackles worklessness among young people and which is a sister company to Aspire Housing - for the past three years.

"When I saw the job advertised it was a new challenge and I had previous experience in things like tiling, plastering and general DIY," he said.

"A job like this does give you a good sense of achievement as it really makes a difference to customers' lives and in some cases it ensures they can continue living independently.

"I can see many of the elderly customers get a bit frustrated needing help with simple tasks but really it has changed their day to day lives dramatically," said Russell.

It is tenants like 84-year-old Ann Shakeshaft from London Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, who have benefited from the scheme enormously already.

"I can't begin to say how much it's helped me; Russell has fitted a hand-rail in the bathroom, fixed my mobility chair and painted my steps to make them more visible," she said.

"Before Russell's help, I had to pay for these services before which ended up costing me a lot of money.

"He is tidy, productive and just a joy to have around - this service is something that is invaluable to people like me," added Ann.

Caroline Baggaley, Head of Housing at Aspire Housing, said: "It was the kind of service we could see was needed for some of our elderly and more vulnerable tenants.

"Once we'd tested the logistics of such a scheme, it became clear it was definitely worth doing.

"Our tenants' welfare is very important to us and this project has proved to be a huge help to those who are more vulnerable or elderly and for many meant they can remain living independently," said Ms Baggaley.