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News Release
1st March 2010
WRVS Helps residents in the Shetland Islands to get switched on to digital switchover
The Woman’s Voluntary Service (WRVS) has joined forces with the Switchover Help Scheme to help older and disabled people in the Shetland Islands switch over to digital TV.
This week WRVS are being 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 WRVS members.
When the switchover comes to STV North region in May 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 WRVS and other voluntary organisations across STV North 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 Bressay transmitter group serving the Shetland Islands will begin to switch on 5 May 2010.
WRVS Shetland project coordinator Indyia Bradley said “We are only too happy to help promote the benefits of the Help Scheme by inviting their staff to attend our lunch and afternoon clubs taking place throughout the length and breadth of Shetland”.
Roy Longmuir, the Shetland Island’s regional project coordinator for the Help Scheme, said: “It’s essential that we work alongside local organisations like WRVS 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.”
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 the Shetland Islands 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.