Meet those we work with!

Meet a Trusted Trader - Welcome Hazel!

Here at Age UK Bradford District we are very lucky to meet and work with an array of talented, thoughtful and caring people, ensuring older generations in the District are looked after and supported in their communities. We feel honoured to welcome Hazel Dow, who has recently joined our Trusted Traders register; a partnership with traders across the region, who have evidenced that they are trustworthy and reliable in their work with older people and their families or carers.

Hazel came from a background in publishing, as a children’s editor, then went on to become a children’s director for a church in Edinburgh. It was in both places of work she was often sorting through clutter and recognised the importance of a tidy environment for people to work at their best capacity. Whilst working in the Church environment, Hazel made strong links with families and volunteers, co-ordinating programmes and holiday clubs. The Church Hall would be transformed beyond belief, creating giant Spaceships out of materials available! So it is fair to say not only did Hazel have a passion for productive workspaces, but a flare for creativity.

So in 2013 and a move from Scotland to Bradford, Free Space was born, with the goal to help organise and de-clutter for others. Hazel works with people in their 30’s through to their 80’s, helping them to not only manage material items that may need organising, but helping those she works with to recognise what these possessions mean to them emotionally and ways to manage their attachments to these items. 

The personable side of Hazel’s role is clear, as she describes her job as, ‘An honour’, when discussing the way people open up to her about emotional and sensitive details of their lives. An example is the work Hazel carries out working twice a month with a lady who not only takes care of a son with additional needs, but also cares for her husband suffering with dementia. To have Hazel’s support in that time goes way beyond just providing a practical service. The emotional connections made and chance to talk and share her feelings will help people in situations like this no end to make sense of their connections to objects, and therefore find ways to slowly re-organise their items.

Hazel has helped us recognise that the word ‘hoarder’ is not a term to be used lightly. Items hold value in our minds and memories; it might remind them of a lost loved one, or hold a place in their memory of a certain moment, maybe the thought of letting go means people have to move forward with their lives when they have not been ready. If you have someone to support you through this in a way that is not just packing up boxes without a conversation, then the process can be become so much more humane.

Mark Rounding, CEO of Age UK Bradford District says:

‘We recognise that selecting a reliable, trustworthy builder or tradesperson can be a risky business at any age but especially for people who live alone or are vulnerable. This is why Age UK Bradford District want to help people make an informed choice with our Trusted Trader Scheme which covers a range of skills from builders, joiners and plumbers through to mobile hairdressers, cleaners and services like Hazel’s described here. Everyone on the scheme has been checked for insurance, criminal records as well as, where relevant quality marks and standards. We want Bradford District to be an age friendly community where people can truly live their best lives and this scheme is a key element of this work’.   

Thank you Hazel and welcome on board! You can see more of hazel's work at http://www.freespace.me.uk/p/about-freespace.html

If you know anyone who would benefit from our Trusted Traders scheme and to find a service like Hazel’s, visit our website at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bradforddistrict/our-services/help-at-home/trusted-trader-scheme/ to see all our tradespeople.

Are you a trader interested in joining our register? Contact us at info@ageukbd.org.uk today.