We're here to help
The facts and figures above from the latest available statistics show how we've been helping to make later life better in Somerset and North Somerset.
Digital Telephone Switchover & Alarm Users: National Awareness Campaign
From 2nd June 2025, BT, Virgin Media and several government departments are running a national campaign: making users aware that analogue telecare alarms could stop working as landline phonelines are upgraded to digital.
What is the digital telephone switchover?
BT has announced that by 2027 all analogue telephone lines will be upgraded to the new ‘Digital Voice’ service. These digital lines will use the internet to carry telephone calls, similar to how services such as Skype and Zoom work.
Why are landline phone lines switching to digital?
The current analogue landline network is being replaced because it is becoming difficult to maintain and demand for faster networks and connectivity is steadily increasing. New digital landlines use the internet to make phone calls – this offers better quality calls and paves the way for additional features such as protection from scams.
When are these changes happening?
- The switchover has started, some people have already been moved to the digital system
- For most people, the switchover will have happened by the end of January 2027.
How does this affect personal alarms that use landlines?
Telecare users are at risk during the digital phone switchover, as some personal alarms use landline connections (analogue) for their monitoring and SOS call services.
If you or someone you know uses an analogue personal alarm, call the landline provider. They are responsible for making sure the alarm keeps working through the switchover and that adequate support is provided.
Where can I find out more?
- Visit:
https://digitalphoneswitchover.com/telecare/
- Visit your Landline phone provider website contact pages e.g. BT, Virgin, EE, Sky.
- Advice from Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/consumer-issues/changes-to-landline-telephones/
- Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator. The aim of Ofcom is to make sure customers don't face unnecessary disruption or harm because of the changes.
- Openreach, a subsidiary of BT that maintains the telephone network infrastructure.
- Find out more about the change to digital landlines on GOV.UK.
Customers with a digital personal alarm
The following alarms are unaffected as they do not use a telephone landline:
- Digital Personal Alarm
- Digital Fall Alarm
- Taking Care Anywhere
- Classic GPS Alarm
- Personal Alarm Watch
Age Co Personal Alarm customers will be notified by SMS and/or email providing further information.
New Memories Choir on Thursdays in Bridgwater!
A new joyful singing group that boosts wellbeing, sparks memories, and brings people with dementia and their carers and family members together through the power of music. GET IN TOUCH TO LEARN MORE.
Supporting older people in Somerset and North Somerset Age UK Somerset is an independent local charity with the goal of enabling all older people in our area to live later life to the full. Whether you’re on a quest to live well into old age, going through tough times or struggling with the cost of living, get in touch. We're only a phone call away and we are here to help. |
Age UK Somerset's Services
Our Wellbeing Service exists to ensure that every older person has the opportunity to live their best life.
The service is all about helping individuals feel less lonely, more supported and always listened to. We don't want an older person to feel they have no one to turn to. It is also about talking with individuals to help improve the quality of their life.
We rely on volunteers to deliver the service to clients. So there may be times when, due to volunteer unavailability, we are unable to provide the service in certain areas.
Who can use the service?
- Those who live alone and not residing with family or in a care / residential home.
- Those over 60 In the Somerset and North Somerset area.
What does this service NOT offer?
- Specialist support for those with dementia
- Shopping
- Transport
- Home help
Is there a charge for the service?
The service is free! However we are a charity and if you would like to make a donation these are not required but are always gratefully received!
Learn more about making a donation here
Who are the Volunteers?
Our Volunteers are friendly local people of all ages, (although the majority are 60+ themselves), who are supervised by us, and have undergone DBS checks and training to be able to help us with this service. Age UK Somerset covers their out of pocket expenses.
Our other services
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Information & Advice
We provide a free information and advice service for older people, their families and carers.
We can help with lots of issues. Whatever your question call or email us and we'll try to help.
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Ageing Well exercise groups
Promoting physical activity for mental and physical health and wellbeing, our Ageing Well service usually runs more than 150 exercise classes each week. Some of our community classes have restarted, and we also continue to offer some online sessions for those who wish to stay fit at home.
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Dementia Services
We offer support for people living with dementia in Somerset and North Somerset, their families and carers. We run weekly 'Memory Connections' (MCST) groups and we also provide Dementia Awareness Workshops.
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Help with Benefits
We provide a free welfare benefits service for over 60s in Somerset and North Somerset. If you receive a state pension, we can check to see if you are entitled to benefits such as Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance. Depending on the outcome of the check we may be able to assist with the claim forms that need completing.
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Falls Prevention
The effects of a fall on an older person can be devastating both physically and psychologically.
Our Falls Prevention team provides special exercise sessions to improve strength and balance which have been proven to lessen the risk of falls.
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Toenail Cutting Service
Try our Toenail Cutting service to help you to stay comfortable on your feet
If you are over 55 and no longer able to cut your own toenails this service may be for you. Our trained staff provide a simple toenail cutting service, rated 'Good' by CQS, at clinics across Somerset and coming soon, North Somerset.
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We need your help
๐ช๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ always ๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐น๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ก๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐ฆ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐, ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ผ๐น๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป.
Imagine if you lived alone, never saw anyone, had no one to talk to and it was making you feel lonely and miserable. If you can’t you are lucky, for this is the daily reality of many older people in Somerset and North Somerset who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in this position.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐น๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ด๐ด๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ. Older people are matched with a Volunteer who pays them a visit each week (when the volunteer is available) just to provide a bit of much needed company.
However loneliness is such an issue in our area that sadly we have sometimes have to put older people onto a waiting list for this service until we can match them with a local volunteer.
It's in your power to make someone happy, to give them a reason to be cheerful and to give them something to look forward to each week. 
This is an enjoyable role that really doesn’t take up much time but really does make a huge difference.
If you are willing to help please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Please email volunteers@ageuksomerset.org.uk
or call 01823 345627
Issue 4 of our Guide to Later Life in Somerset and North Somerset is available now!
We are delighted to introduce our fourth Guide to Later Life in Somerset and North Somerset, packed full of useful information to help you navigate later life.
You can view it online or download it
View the Guide to Later Life online
Download the Guide to Later Life (pdf)
Would you like to receive information from us in a different format?
If you need any information that we provide (factsheets, posters, leaflets, etc), in a different format, please contact us:
email: info@ageuksomerset.org.uk
Telephone: 01823 345610
Post: Age UK Somerset, Ash House, Cook Way, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6BJ
As part of providing documents in another way, we will need to send you messages or documents. Please let us know how you want us to send messages and documents to you and which format you would prefer, for example large print or audio recording.
News
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Telecare Alarm user? You need to read this!
Published on 02 July 2025 02:15 PM
If you are an analogue Telecare / Personal Alarm user you need to read how the Digital Telecoms Switch will affect you.
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Our quality marks
Age UK Somerset has achieved the Age UK Charity Quality Standard (CQS). The CQS is externally assessed by quality assessment experts, SGS.