Careline celebrates 20 years

10/14/2009

"I couldn't live without Careline" says Daisy. Careline, the lifeline for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people in the West Country has celebrated its 20th birthday.

Magna Careline is an emergency home alarm system, connected directly to a 24-hour operator service.

Based in Dorchester, the service has lived up to its lifeline billing time and time again over the past two decades.

Daisy Lee, 87, who lives in Preston near Weymouth, said she can’t imagine life without her alarm.

“I first joined Magna Careline after a friend had a fall at home while she was alone,” explained Daisy. “Fortunately she had the alarm system and was able to press the pendant she wears around her neck and help was at hand straight away.

“She couldn’t get up because she’d hurt her leg. Goodness knows what would have happened if she hadn’t had Careline. The operator was able to get medical help and everything was fine.

“But it certainly made me think and that’s why I decided to get Careline installed as well.”

She added: “None of us are getting any younger and things can be difficult, especially when you live on your own. But Careline offers great comfort and reassurance and that makes a big difference to my life.

“The operators are so kind and helpful – even when I’ve pressed my emergency button by mistake. Knowing someone is there 24 hours a day is fantastic and for my friend, it proved a life-saver.”

Magna Careline marked its anniversary with a birthday lunch at the Wessex Royale Hotel in Dorchester.

Among the guests were Careline customers and past and present staff and board members.
General manager, Tanya Grant, said: "Magna Careline has seen so many changes over the past 20 years. When we started, Magna Careline had about 1,052 connections. Now the figure is more than 6,760”

“Our customers have also changed and our products are now used by people from all walks of life, not just the elderly and vulnerable.”

“But one thing we can’t afford to do is to stand still. Technology is changing all of the time and so we will continue to upgrade and improve our services.

“New products now include telecare, telehealth, comfort calls, out of hours services for various groups,  lone worker protection and disaster recovery partnerships”

She added: “Reflecting on the past 20 years, we can be very proud of our achievements. It’s stories like Mrs Lee’s that make it all worth while because that’s exactly what we are here for.”

Meanwhile Magna Careline chairman Leslie Phillips paid tribute to the operators who man the service 24-hours a day, 365 days of the year.

He said: “I congratulate Magna Careline on reaching this wonderful milestone and I would like to thank every member of staff who works so hard for the good of the community.

“It truly is a marvellous service and the fact that it has helped save lives and prevented other awful things such as break-ins and burglaries – well there is simply no higher accolade than that.

“I congratulate Magna and the tireless Careline team and wish them all the best for the next 20 years and beyond.”