News Release

10th September 2009

Switchover Help advice for Rochdale AFC

Football fans attending this Saturday’s Rochdale Association Football Club game against Torquay United are being given the chance to get free advice about the help that is available to switch to digital TV.

Experts from the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme will be at the match this weekend to tell people more about the help that is available for older and disabled people to convert to digital TV with the Help Scheme.
 
As digital switchover in the ITV Granada region approaches, the Help Scheme team are keen to get out and about in the community to make sure everyone gets the help they need in time for switchover on the 4 November. To continue watching television after this time everyone who lives in Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and North Staffordshire, served by the Winter Hill transmitter, needs to switch to digital TV.

Members of the public can find out more about the help that is available to convert one TV to digital with the Help Scheme, or get information for an eligible older or disabled person they know by speaking to one of the Help Scheme advisors who will be located at the entrance to the Spotland Stadium from 2-3pm and 5-5.30pm on Saturday 12 September. Children attending the game can also meet digital switchover mascot ‘Digit-al’ and Rochdale AFC mascot, ‘Desmond Dragon’.

Older and disabled people can get help to switch from the Switchover Help Scheme.

People are eligible if:

• They are aged 75 or over, or
• They have lived in a care home for six months or more, or 
• They get (or could get) disability living allowance, or attendance or constant attendance allowance, or mobility supplement, or
• They are registered blind or partially sighted

For a one off payment of £40 eligible people will be offered easy to use freeview equipment to convert one TV set, installation of that equipment, a demonstration of how it works and someone to call for help whilst they are getting used to it. Other options are available, some at extra cost.

The service is free for eligible people who also receive pension credit, income support, income based job seekers allowance and employment and support allowance.

Local Help Scheme spokesperson Martin Plenderlieth said: "We want to make sure eligible people get the help they need and if they come and see us at the match we will be able to talk them through anything they need to know to ensure they’re ready for the switchover.”

Eligible people can also apply for help by calling the Help Scheme for free on 0800 40 85 900. More information is available on the Help Scheme website, helpscheme.co.uk

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

Media contact

Diane Green 0191 245 8847 or 07951478832.

Notes to Editors

Switchover Help Scheme

The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC through an agreement with the Government to help older and disabled people make the change to digital. 

In the run-up to switchover in each region, every eligible person will be offered practical help to convert one of their TV sets to digital. People are eligible if they are aged 75 years or more, or if they are registered blind or partially sighted, have lived in a care home for six months or more. Also eligible are people who get (or could get) attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, or disability living allowance.

Most people will be asked to contribute £40 towards the help.  The service is free for people who are eligible and also get pension credit, income support or income-based jobseekers allowance.

More information is available by visiting helpscheme.co.uk