Every so often I encounter a really good, heart-warming story about our local area which blots out the negative reports of crime, economic crisis and disaster. Last week I encountered two within an hour.

One was on a visit to the Whitton Day Centre run by Age Concern for Whitton pensioners.

The computer group and fitness classes were very popular. I was also told of the success of the Handyperson service for elderly and disabled residents. Around 2,000 people in the Borough, last year, benefitted from the service which carries out small jobs around the house – replacing broken light switches; putting up shelving; replacing toilet seats; changing light bulbs and tap washers.

The scheme helps residents with tasks which are physically beyond them but also protects them from ‘cowboy’ tradesmen who would charge a fortune.

As well as the Handyperson Service, this Borough is lucky to have a rich network of caring groups like HANDS, the Hampton and Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group and Whitton Network, whose volunteers help isolated elderly and disabled people in their own homes.

The other good news was the opening of a new company in Twickenham, TCS Equipment Hire. It hires out sophisticated equipment – teleprompters; TV cameras – made in Britain. The local attraction is our big film and TV industry - Teddington and Twickenham Film Studios, Sky at Osterley, the BBC at Shepherd’s Bush – a reminder that there are successful, creative British industries beyond the financial services.

There is a lot of bad news about job losses, shop closures and bankruptcies. It was great to meet optimistic business people creating jobs and thinking beyond the recession.

A lot of our current problems are due to lack of confidence and fear. Even a few, small-scale investments like this will help to turn round the mood.