SeniorLine Launched
14 October 2004
National older people’s charity, Help the Aged, has joined forces with Translink to promote SeniorLine (0808 808 7575), the charity’s free telephone advice service for older people, their relatives, carers and friends.
Leaflets, postcards and posters promoting SeniorLine were unveiled and distributed from the Translink stand during the Young at Heart show today, (14 October) at the Kings Hall in Belfast.
“SeniorLine aims to promote independence by offering free and confidential advice and information on a wide range of welfare rights issues,” explained Pat Austin, Help the Aged’s SeniorLine service manager.
“With Translink onboard, we will now be able to make more people across Northern Ireland aware of the SeniorLine service. So if you are an older person, their relative, carer or friend, and are unsure about pension credit, direct payment, housing or community care issues, advice is only a phone call away.
“Last year, we uncovered more than £750,000 in unclaimed benefits for older people in Northern Ireland, so you may even find out about benefits that you didn’t know you were entitled to!” Ms Austin said.
Translink will be distributing the SeniorLine leaflets and displaying posters in each of its bus and rail stations across Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.
Attending the launch Dr Joan Smyth CBE, Translink’s Chairman commented, “Translink have and continue to receive tremendous support from Help the Aged in promoting the Senior Smartpass,”
“Since the May 2002 introduction of the new hi-tech cards which entitle holders to free travel across the Northern Ireland bus and rail network, over 170,000 Senior Smartpasses have been issued, and over 18 million free journeys taken.
“I am happy that the Senior Smartpass has played a pivotal role in promoting greater social inclusion and reducing isolation for older members of our society.
“SeniorLine will undoubtedly continue to play a key role in promoting the initiative, so we are particularly delighted to support Help the Aged in the promotion of this valuable service.” Dr Smyth concluded.
Ends.
For further press information contact Hugh McCusker, Help the Aged Communications Officer, tel: 028 9023 0666, or Sarah Stanczyk Public Relations Officer - Translink
Notes to editors
• SeniorLine is a free telephone advice service for older people, their relatives, carers and friends
• Trained advice workers can help with issues such as, social security and disability benefits, community and residential care, housing options and adaptations, other information for older people
• SeniorLine is free, impartial, confidential and aims to enable as many callers as possible to take action themselves
• Advisors can also deal with individual cases working with and for a caller to move towards resolving an issue
Callers may be asked appropriate questions to ensure that SeniorLine staff have all the relevant facts and can explore all the options available. Alternatively SeniorLine can supply details of relevant local or national organisations.
There are some types of help that SeniorLine staff are unable to offer:
• The advice workers are not trained in counselling or legal matters, neither can they offer medical advice
• Financial advice is restricted by the terms of the Financial Services Act 1986
• SeniorLine does not recommend tradespeople.
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