Gloria urges local public to lend a helping hand

WELL known broadcaster Gloria Hunniford is urging everyone in Antrim to lend a Helping Hand to make sure older and disabled people know about the help they can get from the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme in time for switchover this October.

Gloria joined members of the Helping Hand choir at Belfast City Hall where members of the public were encouraged to place a purple hand on a giant pledge board in support of the campaign.

Commenting on the launch, Gloria said: “Switchover is coming soon and the Help Scheme wants to make sure that no one is left behind. Give a Helping Hand and remind older and disabled people in your area about the Switchover Help Scheme. You never know, you may be the one person that they trust to give them good advice”.

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The Helping Hand campaign urges people to pledge their support for the Switchover Help Scheme and simply tell eligible people they know about the help available, help them fill out an application form or simply assist them in calling the Help Scheme so that they can get the help they are entitled to.

Nigel Tilson, Northern Ireland Manager for the Switchover Help Scheme added, “Digital switchover is taking place here in October and even if you’re ready, you may have friends or neighbours who may be confused about what to do.

“The Switchover Help Scheme offers practical support to help older and disabled people convert one of their TV sets to digital. We can all lend a helping hand by making sure that older and disabled members of our community know about the help they can get from the Help Scheme”.

Helping Hand events are being held around the region where people can find out more about the Help Scheme and pledge their support, for further information visit: helpscheme.co.uk/northernireland/events

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The Help Scheme has written to every eligible person in Northern Ireland with the offer of help. To get the help they are entitled to, people must reply by returning their form or call the Help Scheme free on 0800 40 87 654.

People are eligible for help if they:

– Are aged 75 or over, or

– Have lived in a care home for six months or more, or

– Get (or could get):

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or

• Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance, or

• Mobility supplement, or

– Are registered blind or partially sighted.

Most people will be asked to pay £40 towards the help, which includes:

• Easy-to-use equipment to covert one set

• An approved installer to supply and install the necessary equipment, and

• A 12 month aftercare service including a free helpline.

The service is free for people who are eligible and also on certain income related benefits.

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For the same price of £40 or free, people in Northern Ireland can also choose a Freeview HD box which can receive TG4, RTE One and RTE Two, subject to coverage in their area. That option also includes installation and aftercare. Other options and equipment are also available, some at an extra cost, and these are outlined in the information pack.

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