Careline

For many people the telephone is their only means of talking with friends and neighbours. But in a crisis the Stroud District Council Careline could provide help when you need it most, day or night. The service benefits older person's, those with a disability and people feeling vulnerable who need reassurance.

What is a Careline?

The Careline is a way of getting help through your telephone system quickly and efficiently at all times. A small personal radio transmitter is worn as a Pendant around the neck, on a wrist-strap or clipped to clothing. This is linked to a special unit - the Careline - which plugs in to a modern telephone point with an adjacent 13amp electrical socket.

How does it Work?

By pressing the pendant a signal is sent to the Careline, which will then dial automatically to our Control Room. Your pre-programmed personal details will come up on a computer screen and a fully-trained Operator will be able to talk to you through a very powerful speaker and listen to you through a very sensitive microphone.

How will they help me?

The Control Room will quickly establish what assistance you require i.e. an Ambulance, Doctor, or perhaps one of your nominated contacts (neighbour, friend or a family member who ideally holds a key to your property). The Control Room Staff will stay on the line to reassure you until help arrives.

How are they available?

A Careline can be bought or rented. There may be some financial assistance available for anyone over the age of sixty who is in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit or Income Support.

For those under sixty and in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you may be eligible for financial assistance if you are also in receipt of one of the mentioned benefits.

How much will it cost?

To Purchase

• Careline Unit £160.00* + VAT (keeping your existing telephone). Plus £1.51* per week for monitoring and maintenance charges. Payment is either by Direct Debit or invoice, six-monthly in arrears.

Rental

• Careline Unit is £3.13* per week, inclusive of monitoring and maintenance charges. Payment is either by direct debit or invoice, quarterly in arrears.

With Financial Assistance

• Subject to qualifying criteria, £1.51* per week, inclusive of monitoring and maintenance charges. Payment is either by direct debit or invoice, six-monthly in arrears.

*VAT is charged at 20% unless the customer is eligible for exemption on health grounds.

N.B. For a Careline to operate it requires a modern plug-in telephone point and a 13amp electrical socket, these need to be adjacent to each other. Customers may also be exempt from VAT on medical grounds.

Download the latest Careline leaflet below:

If you would like more details then a Careline representative would be pleased to call on you in your home. They can answer questions and show you how to use the Careline Service entirely without obligation. To make an appointment, telephone:

Careline Service

Stroud (01453) 766321
Monday to Thursday between 9.00am and 5.00pm
Friday between 9.00am and 4.30pm
Or email careline@stroud.gov.uk