A CHARITY for older people has launched a new business directory for Ealing, making people more aware of the services it offers.

Age UK representatives were joined by about 150 people for the launch of the project at O’Grady Court, outside West Ealing Library, on Tuesday.

It was an opportunity to make people aware of the scheme as well as provide details on Age UK services in the borough.

Demonstrations were done on a computer so that staff could show those interested how the directory works.

Jo Hardcastle, Age UK London Business Directory sales and marketing executive, said that feedback was positive.

She said: “A lot of the elderly people like the fact that they are all local businesses and that we meet these businesses face to face. They come to Age UK because they trust the charity.”

The service, which has been running successfully in Nottingham for about four years, links older residents to trusted traders.

It aims to help reduce the risk of older and more vulnerable people being exploited, by carrying out checks and obtaining customer references.

Only traders scrutinised by Age UK London and deemed to be reliable will appear on the directory, providing people with the peace of mind that their plumber, painter or builder can be trusted in their home.

Eric Leach, chair of West Ealing Traders Association, said: “Finding trusted traders at a reasonable price is hard enough, but it gets even more difficult as people get older.

“I’m sure this information service – which only gives details of those who have been checked out – will prove invaluable for the elderly in Ealing.”

The directory can be viewed online at www.aubdlondon.co.uk