News Release

24th May 2010

PKAVS helps residents in Perth and Kinross to get switched on to digital switchover

The charity Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) has joined forces with the Switchover Help Scheme to help older and disabled people across Perthshire switch over to digital TV.

This week PKAVS Carers Services, The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre (Perth & Kinross) was presented with a Help Scheme certificate to thank staff for their help in spreading the message about the Help Scheme to eligible older and disabled people they come into contact with through their day-to-day work.

When the switchover comes to Perthshire in August 2010, most people will find it easy to make the switch. But some people may find the transition to digital more daunting than others.

That’s why, in the run-up to switchover, PKAVS and other voluntary organisation’s across Perthshire will be working with the Help Scheme to tell eligible older and disabled people about switchover and the practical help that will be available for them to make the change to digital on one of their TV sets.

The Angus transmitter group serving Angus, Dundee, Perth and parts of Fife will begin to switch on 4 August 2010.

PKAVS Carers Services Manager, Margaret Jackson said: “We are only too happy to help promote the benefits of the Help Scheme by spreading the message about the help that is available to eligible people that access our service.

“Not everyone will find the switch to digital easy, so it’s really important that we’re able to take the time to explain how the Scheme works to someone older or disabled who may otherwise not know what to do. We have promoted the scheme within our day centers and at carers events across Perth & Kinross, reaching out to at least 200 people. ”

Colin Scott, from the Switchover Help Scheme, said: “It’s essential that we work alongside local organisation’s like PKAVS to help make sure that older and disabled members of the community know that they can get help from us to make the switch to digital television.

“They’ve been great local advocates for the Scheme and we’re really glad that they’ve been able to signpost eligible people to the help that is available.”

People are eligible for the scheme if:

• They are aged 75 or over, or
• They have lived in a care home for six months or more,
• 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.

What’s on offer?

The standard offer for eligible people in Scotland is for a Freeview set-top box installed on one TV set. The equipment will give people access to around 15 channels including all of the public service channels.

Most people will be asked to pay £40 towards the standard offer of help. For eligible people who are also on pension credit, income support, income based jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance, it’s free.

All eligible people in the area can also choose from other digital options. These include freesat and Sky amongst others, some of which cost extra.

The Help Scheme is run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government and has been specially designed around the needs of older and disabled people.

Equipment has been specifically chosen for ease of use and Help Scheme contact centre, delivery staff and installers have all been trained to understand and respect older and disabled people. All installers have undertaken Criminal Records Bureau checks, carry identification and will never call without having made an appointment.
What do I need to do?

People need to respond to get the help. Completed information pack forms can be returned to the Help Scheme, but to make it even easier to apply, eligible people can also choose to call the Help Scheme free on 0800 408 7654.

In addition, any eligible person who needs help to apply can nominate someone else to complete their form for them.

Even if someone does not need our help we would like them to respond to let us know they are ready for switchover.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Media Contacts:
Sarah Fairfax
Communications Executive – Switchover Help Scheme
T: 0191 245 8834
M: 07730424407
E: sarah.fairfax@eaga.com