Digital TV Switchover

Help is at hand to switch to digital TV in the Bailiwick of Guernsey


You may already know that in November this year television in the Channel Islands is changing to digital – but did you know that help is available for older and disabled people?

When the switchover comes to the Bailiwick of Guernsey most people will find it easy to make the switch. But some people may find the transition to digital more daunting than others.

That’s why, in the run-up to switchover, the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme is working with Digital UK to tell eligible older and disabled people about the switchover and the practical help that will be available for them to make the change to digital on one of their TV sets.

The Channel Islands are served by the Fremont Point transmitter group, based in Jersey, and it will switch to digital on 17 November 2010. That’s when people across the islands who don’t have digital TV will lose their terrestrial channels.

Caroline Byng, Help Scheme regional manager for the Channel Islands, said: “The Switchover Help Scheme aims to reach out to all eligible people. We want to make sure those who need our help get it so that no-one eligible is left behind without access to television after the switchover.”

Who is eligible?

Residents of the bailiwick of Guernsey, who meet one or more of the following criteria, are eligible for support from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme:

Those aged 75 or over
Those who receive Attendance Allowance or Supplementary Benefit on the basis of being disabled, or over school leaving age and incapable of self-support and likely to remain so for a prolonged period
Those who are registered blind or partially sighted in a register maintained by or on behalf of the Guernsey Blind Association
Those who have lived in a care home for six months or more
War Pensioners who receive War Pension Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance from the UK Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA)

All those in the groups outlined above will be asked to pay £40 towards the cost of installation of a digital receiver, unless:

They are in receipt of Supplementary Benefit
Their partner is in receipt of Supplementary Benefit
They are a child who is eligible for help and their parent/guardian is in receipt of Supplementary Benefit
They live in Sark and the Sark Douzaine has determined that they are entitled to free help

Installation will be free of charge for those who meet this criteria.

What do I need to do?

In the run-up to the switchover, every eligible person in the Bailiwick of Guernsey will receive a Switchover Help Scheme information pack explaining the options available for switching to digital.

The first batch of information packs should now have been received and these will be followed up by two further letters between now and November.

Accessing help through the scheme is easy – simply call FREEPHONE number 0800 40 87 654. The Help Scheme advisors will talk you through the best options for you and arrange for a home visit should you require further explanation face to face. They can also book an appointment for your new equipment to be installed.

Alternatively, if you want more information for yourself or someone you know, please log onto www.helpscheme.co.uk
People who need advice about the switchover but are NOT eligible for help through the Help Scheme can contact Nick Gaudion at the for further information.

The above information was kindly provided by Laurel Le Tocq who is the Switchover Help Scheme Regional Project Co-ordinator Guernsey in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Guernsey.