Chris from Banbury has spent the past eight years travelling across north Oxfordshire, making small property repairs that make a big difference to people’s lives.
Published: Wednesday, 9th April 2025
Ramps, rails and key safes are Chris’s stock in trade, as part of a Cherwell District Council service designed to help older people and those with disabilities or long-term illness live safely and independently.
But around 25 cases a year are special visits Chris makes to support survivors of domestic abuse. By installing products such as video doorbells, security lighting and spikes on top of fences, he makes victims feel safer in their own homes, helping stop abusers from contacting them or attempting to access their home; a service known as target hardening.
Chris Howse, Small Repairs Technician, said: “I cover all of Cherwell district, both the towns and villages, and I manage my diary to bunch jobs together in the same area. That means I can reduce my overall travel time and get through more jobs every week. However, when I get a domestic abuse referral, it could mean that a vulnerable person is at immediate risk, so I will drop everything to make them my first priority.”
Chris, who is DBS-checked, works quickly and discreetly to help make people’s homes more secure. He’s also happy to go the extra mile and work on additional security issues he spots once he arrives at a resident’s property, even if they are additional to the main job he came to do.
An Independent Domestic Violence Advisor from the charity Reducing the Risk said: “Cherwell’s target hardening service is easy to apply for and can be executed quickly if the risk level is high. The service has improved since the council’s domestic abuse coordinator has been involved. Having staff with an in-depth knowledge of domestic abuse really helps with the referral process and making it as smooth as possible for the professional and the victim.
“Chris is a credit to the service. I have met him a few times whilst with clients. He has a very calm and reassuring manner. He is perfect for the role; he is very discreet and makes our victims feel at ease. His work is very good and always completed in a timely manner.”
People can book Chris’s small repairs service directly if they are over 60, registered disabled or have a long-term health condition. He receives target hardening referrals from Cherwell’s domestic abuse co-ordinator, and other referrals from NHS occupational therapists.
Chris added: “It is really rewarding to know my work is helping people feel safer and helping them live independently. For example, by installing a key safe, I can help carers access someone’s property, which can be invaluable for an older person returning from the hospital.
“Most of my jobs can be completed in a few hours at most, but for very little disruption to their day, we can make a big difference to people’s lives.”
A range of information about local support for domestic abuse victims is available at the page linked below.
Domestic abuse help