Hey everyone,
I hope you’re keeping safe and well.
Alongside goodybank and the other initiatives that have been brought to life to support our members and the wider communities right now, there’s a few other projects that we’ve been pulling together. One of which I would like to update you on.
Phones have become increasingly important throughout COVID-19. For many, it’s the only means of communication with the outside world. During this tough time, we all want to ensure that everyone stays connected, especially some of the most vulnerable in our society. Which is why our latest project aims to provide connectivity to many isolated seniors in our country.
Starting this week, we’ll be collaborating with Doro phones to distribute 500 handsets, with 3 months free connectivity, to isolated seniors across the UK.
Doro were the perfect partner for this as they are the leading global supplier of telecommunication solutions for seniors.
The phones being sent out are the Doro 5516, an easy-to-use candy bar handset equipped with extra loud and clear sound, an easy-to-use camera, 3G connectivity and the Doro Assistance button located on the back of the phone.
When activated, in the event of an emergency the Assistance button has been specially programmed to call Doro’s trained advisers at their Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). The call centre will then assist and triage users accordingly, providing the user and their families with peace of mind.
We will be working with Neighbourly to distribute these handsets to charities, community support projects and care homes across the country, ensuring that the phones reach some of those most in need through Neighbourly’s extensive insight into local communities.
Some of the charities and community projects that will be receiving the handsets are: Age UK, Fish neighbourhood care, Trafford veterans, MHA South and West Birmingham live at home scheme, Zest for life conversation and laughter (Malvern), John Storer Charnwood (Loughborough), Tendring Eldercare (Edinburgh), and many more.
A representative from MHA South and West Birmingham has said that:
“Mobile phones will enable our members without any type of telephone to have access to a daily ‘check and chat’ call and a telephone befriender, our members on a restricted budget will be able to talk to friends and family and receive and send photographs. This will enable our members to feel more ‘connected’ with others. The phones will further reduce the potential for loneliness and social isolation particularly whilst the Coronavirus crisis continues. Being able to talk to others will reduce feelings of anxiety and depression which we are seeing an increase in”.
All of these charity, care homes and community projects will also help the seniors to set the phones up, ensuring that they get the most out of their new handset and benefit from their connectivity from the day that they receive these devices.
By donating the phones and providing goodybags, we hope to facilitate contact between the elderly and the outside world. It aims to reduce the concerns of seniors and their relatives and enable them to maintain a sense of community and closeness, despite mandatory social distancing.
Thank you so much for all of you who have shown so much passion and dedication to supporting our disconnected seniors in society so far. @ianro99712 has wanted to do something like this since before COVID-19, so thank you for your ongoing passion for supporting our wider communities, especially the most vulnerable.
Once the phones reach their new homes I will be sure to share back some stories and testimonials from the charities. I would love to let you all know how together we have helped.
All the best everyone, and stay safe.
Ria
