Gwenda Thomas

Gwenda Thomas AM Column for Neath Guardian March 09.

The switchover from analogue television (the service which is available now) to digital television will take place in the Neath area in August. The older analogue TV signal will be switched off in your area, and if you don’t have digital TV by the time of switchover, you will lose your TV service. But there is no need to worry. The Switchover Help Scheme will help you with this. The Labour Government realises the value that TV brings in terms of company, entertainment, education and information to people who are elderly or disabled, so this Scheme has been set up by the Labour Government and the BBC to help eligible people convert one of their TV sets to digital.

To be eligible people must be aged 75 or over, or have lived in a care home for six months or more, or get disability living allowance, or receive attendance or constant attendance allowance, or receive mobility supplement, or are registered blind or partially sighted.

If you are eligible, digital TV will be explained to you clearly and simply, you will be told about all the options available, whatever equipment you need will be installed in your home, and the Scheme engineers will make sure you are happy with how it all works. If you get more than five channels on your TV, you probably already have digital TV. If not, you may need help to go digital and you won’t even have to change your TV set. There is a charge of £40 for the standard offer, which includes: Easy-to-use equipment that meets your needs, help with installing the equipment, fitting a new dish or aerial, where possible, if it’s needed to make the new equipment work, a demonstration and someone you can call for help while you’re getting used to things. This service is free if you get pension credit, income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance.

If you’re eligible, you will be contacted in plenty of time to ask if you want help. You may have friends or family, or someone in your local community who will need help with the switchover. If so, please pass this information on.
If you need any more help or information: Call free on 0800 40 85 900. Lines are open Monday to Sunday between 8am and 9pm. Textphone users can call free on 0800 40 85 936. Email info@helpscheme.co.uk or by writing to Freepost, Switchover Help Scheme. More information is also available from my office.