News Release

24th August 2010

Helping central Scotland to make the switch to digital TV

Dorothy Paul launches Switchover Help Scheme as digital TV countdown begins

The first major milestone in Central Scotland’s switch to the digital TV signal was marked today as the Switchover Help Scheme arrived in Glasgow.

The Help Scheme Bus was on hand at Glasgow Science Centre to spread the word that ‘help is on its way’, and Dorothy Paul joined Help Scheme experts and digital mascot ‘Digit Al’ to greet members of the public and reassure those eligible for help.

The Switchover Help Scheme assists older and disabled people to get to grips with the digital switchover with advice and practical help. The Help Scheme will shortly contact all eligible people across the STV Central region – which includes those served by the Darvel, Rosneath, Black Hill and Craigkelly receivers – to ensure they are fully informed and in a position to take advantage of the help available well in advance of the signal switch which takes place from April to June 2011.

Today, Dorothy Paul was spreading the word that help is on its way, reassuring eligible members of the public that they are not alone when it comes to coping with the switch. She is encouraging those eligible to look out for Switchover Help Scheme envelopes dropping through their letterboxes shortly, explaining how they can get help.
 
Dorothy said: “I think this is a fantastic initiative and certainly something that many of my friends and family will take advantage of. For some people, making the switch from analogue to digital is easy, but for many it’s a bit trickier and the Switchover Help Scheme is the ideal solution.

“It’s important that people realise that help is on its way and that they don’t have to worry about making the switch alone. It can be much easier than they think. They certainly won’t be left without their televisions come the switchover!”

Luke McCullough, the Switchover Help Scheme’s National Manager for Scotland, said: “Although switchover is a long way off, we understand that some people may struggle with what they need to do, especially if they are older, or in some cases, if they have a disability.

“The most important thing for them to do is not to panic as they will get plenty of advice and support. If they are aged 75 or over, or eligible through a disability, they will be offered practical help to convert their TV using the Switchover Help Scheme. We will be in touch with them directly in plenty of time to get help before switchover takes place in their area.

“Many people will find it simple to switch and lots of people already have. But for those who need a little extra help, we want them to know that they will get the additional support they need from us.”

For more information on the Switchover Help Scheme, visit www.helpscheme.co.uk.

-Ends-

Issued by Beattie Communications (www.beattiegroup.com) on behalf of the Switchover Help Scheme

For further information please contact:
Julie Yeudall / julie.yeudall@beattiegroup.com / 01698 787845 / 07730415019
Joanna Wilson / joanna.wilson@beattiegroup.com / 01698 787847 / 07786528797

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. Also eligible are people who get (or could get) attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, or disability living allowance and those who have lived in a care home for six months or
more.

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 through visiting helpscheme.co.uk.