Handyperson Gary retires after nearly 5,000 home visits

Handyperson Gary Wallace is hanging his final curtain.

Gary is retiring on Friday 28 March after seven and a half years working for the charity as part of the Cosy Kingdom energy advice service.

Over this time, Gary has completed 4,800 visits to homes across Central and West Fife. He has delivered more than 21,000 lightbulbs, hung more than 3,000 sets of curtains and draught proofed hundreds of doors and windows.

Working during lockdown posed a different challenge. With regular activities suspended, Gary was part of a team of four staff who worked to cook and distribute around 10,000 meals to families all over Kirkcaldy as part of the emergency response to the pandemic.

Gary said: “Working for Greener Kirkcaldy has been really worthwhile. The thing that keeps you going through the challenges is realising how much of a difference you are making.

“I’ve helped people who are forced to go from room to room with a single lightbulb. I’ve delivered microwaves to people who were living on cold tins of soup, which means that they can enjoy hot meals again.”

Gary is not sure what he will do in his well-earned retirement but he won’t be sitting still.

He said: “I’m looking forward to some long lies and not being dictated to by my alarm clock. But I also would like to find a way to mentor young people. I am looking into some college courses and I might find a wee workshop where I can take on some new hobbies.

“I’m also looking forward to spending time with my kids and grandkids and helping them with their own homes and gardens.”

Bruce McCall, Service Manager at Greener Kirkcaldy said: “Gary is truly one of a kind and we’ll miss having him in the team. Everyone at Greener Kirkcaldy and the wider Cosy Kingdom partnership wishes him a long and happy retirement.

“I should say the impressive impact he has made for households across West and Central Fife is doubled by his fellow Handyperson Julian Jenkins. And happily, we’ve had an encouraging response to our advert for a new Handyperson.

“Gary is leaving some big shoes to fill but we’re confident that we can find the right person to take on this important role.”

Cosy Kingdom supports people in Fife to stay warm, save energy, and save money. It is a free and impartial energy and debt advice service available to all tenants and homeowners across Fife. The project is a partnership between Greener Kirkcaldy, St Andrews Environmental Network and Citizens Advice & Rights Fife and helps over thousands of  households to reduce their energy use and stay cosy each year.