Community Lifeline Service
The Council has taken the difficult decision to end the dispersed Lifeline service. This is due to the financial impact of:
- The change to digital phone lines and the analogue units we use are not fully compatible, this means the old units need to be replaced.
- A reduction in the number of service users, due to alternative cheaper options and other technology.
We are therefore no longer taking referrals for this service, and existing customers have been contacted to explain that the service will end on 30th June 2024. It is important to ensure customers have an alternative in place by this time.
Existing customers:
You can end your arrangement with the South Cambridgeshire Lifeline service at any time up to the end of June. Please do contact us as soon as you have secured an alternative lifeline service, so that we can bring your Lifeline alarm service with us to an end and arrange the return of the equipment. We want to ensure that all our customers have an alternative arrangement in place as soon as possible and prior to the end of June, so we may follow up with a telephone call or visit.
Alternative providers
Please find below some useful information on alternative providers of personal alarm services for the elderly. Please do contact the services directly, who may be able to provide you with more information about the services they provide. Please note that the information listed below is for information and South Cambridgeshire District Council are not recommending any particular services over another.
|
Provider |
Contact details |
Installation method |
Linked to Enhanced Response Service? |
Additional information |
|
Age UK (Taking Care) |
0800 085 7371 |
Can be installed in person or posted out – charges apply. |
No |
Set up costs approx. £20-69. Ongoing charges between £19.99 - 28.99 per month |
|
Astraline |
01625 466681 |
In person installation may be available. |
Yes |
Set up costs approx. £50. Ongoing charges from £22.99 per month |
|
Careium |
01323 644422 |
Posted |
Yes |
Set up costs approx. £49.99. Ongoing charges from £17 per month |
|
Careline365 |
0800 101 3333 |
Posted |
Yes |
Set up costs approx. £45. Ongoing charges from £19.99 per month Please use code SCDC35 for a £35 discount on any of Careline 365 alarm plans. |
|
Careline Community Service |
01553 616200 |
In person, or posted |
Yes |
Set up costs £45 for in person installation or £25 if posted. Ongoing charges £4.50 per week (£5.00 with a falls detector). Please see link regarding areas covered. |
|
Lifeline24 |
0800 999 0400 |
Posted |
Yes |
Set up costs approx. £35. Ongoing charges from £18.99 per month |
Additional sensors/ smoke alarms:
Please note that if you have additional sensors attached to your Lifeline unit, you may need to arrange alternative sensors that are compatible with a new unit. Examples of this may include fall detectors, bed/chair sensors or smoke alarms. Please contact the provider of these sensors (either TEC services on 01480 378160 or the fire service on 01480 444 500) with further queries.
Enhanced Response Service (ERS):
Please be aware that our Lifeline service is signed up to the Enhanced Response Service, however, not all alternative providers are. We have indicated whether they are on the attached details for your information.
The enhanced response service respond to people who need non-emergency assistance. This service can:
- provide assistance to get a person up from the floor following a fall.
- provide personal care that is needed in an urgent circumstance.
- provide reassurance following an incident at home.
ERS can act as an alternative responder when the usual key holders are not available.
Contact:
Our team are also here to help – please do get in touch with them if you need any help with an alternative service. Please contact us at lifelines@scambs.gov.uk or 01954 713000.
Additional Support
We can refer you to:
- Mobile Warden Schemes which support older people to live independently in their homes and in the community they know, and which knows them.
- Visiting Support Service which provides short-term support service providing confidential, emotional, financial and practical support and promoting independent living in the community.