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News release
07th July 2008
Awareness campaign receives local boost
The Switchover Help Scheme has teamed up with a local branch of retired union members to help raise awareness of digital switchover in the Scottish Borders.
The area served by the Selkirk transmitter is the next to make the switch to digital in November this year. Help is available to more than 18,000 older and disabled people in the area and option packs explaining this are being sent to eligible households later this month. A regional radio and advertising awareness campaign is also underway.
To further ensure that eligible people can access the help available, the Switchover Help Scheme is working closely with organisations such as the Retired Members Association (RMA) of the Transport & General Workers Union in Galashiels, which is part of UNITE, to make ensure the message reaches as many households in need as possible.
Muriel Johnston, secretary of the RMA in Galashiels, said: "I have been to a number of digital forums organized by our local MP Michael Moore, so I am very aware of digital myself. In fact I was even able to update my 40-year-old son on the changes.
"But I was also really keen to see exactly what help was being made available for our older members, or those who may be disabled and could struggle to make the switch on their own and in time.
"I found a presentation given recently by the Switchover Help Scheme to be extremely useful and I'll certainly be spreading the word about the Help Scheme to our local members. I also attend meetings where I speak with delegates from other regional branches in the Borders area and further a field, and I will be encouraging anyone who feels they are eligible and would benefit from the Help Scheme to reply to the option pack letters. The important thing is that we let people know that help is available and that the Help Scheme will be contacting them."
Shirley Batty, a local representative for the Switchover Help Scheme in the Selkirk area, added: "Enlisting the help of people such as Muriel is fantastic and will really help us get in touch with those who need our help most. Working with local voluntary groups and membership associations is vitally important and complements the additional TV coverage, press and community advertising campaigns and local events we have planned to promote the Switchover Help Scheme."
The Switchover Help Scheme has been designed to take the worry out of digital switchover for eligible older and disabled people. For a one-off payment of £40, they will get easy-to-use equipment to convert one television set, installation of that equipment, a demonstration of how it works and someone they can call for help while they're getting used to it.
People are eligible if they are aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted or if they get, or could get, one of several disability benefits. Eligible people who also receive income benefits will get this help for free.
Options Packs are being sent out to eligible people in the area served by the Selkirk transmitter later this month. These packs will outline the help available from the Help Scheme and encourage people to respond. They will set out the standard offer which is available for £40 - or free to householders in receipt of certain benefits - and a range of other ways that they can choose to go digital with the Help Scheme.
Everyone who sends back the Options Pack form will get their help in plenty of time for the Scottish Borders switchover on November 6. To make it even easier, eligible people can choose to ring the contact centre on 0800 408 5901 to apply instead, or they can apply online at www.helpscheme.co.uk or even nominate someone else to complete their application for them. But they must do something to reply if they would like to take up the help.
Press adverts have already run across the Scottish Borders. The message is "Find out if you are eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme 0800 408 5901."
The Help Scheme is run by the BBC through an agreement with the Government, and has been designed around the needs of older and disabled people. Equipment has been chosen to be easy to use, and contact centre, delivery staff and installers have all been trained to understand and respect older and disabled people. Installers are vetted, carry identification and will never call without having made an appointment.
ENDS