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Age Concern Isle of Wight is to mobilise an army of charities and volunteers to help residents make the switch to digital TV on the Isle of Wight, it was announced yesterday.
Starting in August, Age Concern Isle of Wight will work with other charities and voluntary groups to prepare people for the switchover, which starts on the Isle of Wight on 7 March 2012. The appointment has been made on behalf of Digital UK and the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme.
Age Concern Isle of Wight will mobilise local groups across the Isle of Wight to hold events and presentations, giving advice on how to switch over to digital TV and apply for the Switchover Help Scheme which provides practical help to older and disabled people to switch one TV to digital. Thousands of people are expected to benefit from the advice and support given at these events.
Age Concern Isle of Wight is a local, independent, registered charity which has been working to enhance, support and celebrate the lives of older people on the Island for over 35 years. As the Island’s leading charity for people who are 50 and over, our team helps around 3,000 older people each year.
Do you need practical help, advice or reassurance?
Jo Dare, Chief Exective, said: “Switching to digital TV will be straightforward for many people, but some others will need practical help, advice or reassurance.
“We look forward to working with our fellow charities to provide that support on the Isle of Wight and help prepare the local community for switchover. We will also encourage eligible older and disabled people to apply for the Switchover Help Scheme.”
Support for charities through Small Grants Scheme
Local charities can apply for free briefing places, and for funding through a Small Grants Scheme set up to encourage extra events locally. Materials developed to help run events and explain switchover will also be provided.
Bill Taylor, Digital UK’s Regional Manager in Meridian, welcomed the announcement saying “the outreach work planned to reach into the community is essential and will help to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of digital TV when switchover arrives”.
The Switchover Help Scheme
The Switchover Help Scheme, run by the BBC, has been set up to provide practical help to eligible older and disabled people switch to digital TV.
It is writing to eligible people in the area. People are eligible for the scheme if they are aged 75 years or more, have lived in a care home for six months or more, get (or could get) certain disability benefits, or are registered blind or partially sighted.
For £40 or free for people that are eligible and also on certain income related benefits, the Help Scheme will provide easy to use equipment to convert one set, an approved installer to supply and install the necessary equipment, and a 12 month aftercare service including free helpline.
