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Oswestry Community Alarm

Please use the links below to jump to the section you wish to view, or scroll down this page to view the sections in order.

What is the Community Alarm Service?
What is a community alarm
What do I do in an emergency
What happens when the alarm has been activated
What if the alarm is activated by mistake
What if I am unable to hear or speak
What is the role of the key-holder
What is the role of the 'Mobile Warden'
Who can have an Alarm unit
What do I need to have a unit installed
What equipment will I need
Can I see how the system works before I choose to have it
Purchase of Unit
Lease of Unit
Optional key-holding and Mobile Warden Visits
Contact Details

Oswestry Community Alarm, a service to give peace of mind knowing you can call for help quickly and easily.

What is the Community Alarm Service?

It is a computerised control centre which is manned 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It receives emergency calls from clients with various types of communication alarms, in all types of accommodation.

What is a community alarm?

A community alarm is a unit which connects to your own telephone line. A pendant is provided and this enables a person to make an alarm call wherever they are in their home.

What do I do in an emergency?

There are 2 ways to raise an alarm call:

• If you are near the unit, there is a large red button which can be pressed.
• You also have a pendant which when pressed sends a signal to the unit which then calls the control centre.

What happens when the alarm has been activated?

The unit automatically dials the Alarm Centre. When the call comes to the centre the operator knows immediately who is calling. The operator can see information giving a list of key-holders, along with medical conditions, doctor, family, friends, plus support services such as community nurses and home care workers, etc.

The operator will talk to you to arrange help.

What if the alarm is activated by mistake?

You simply tell the operator, who will then clear the call. The operators do not mind false alarm calls as this familiarizes you with the staff at the centre.

What if I am unable to hear or speak?

This type of call is treated as a 'No response' call and the operator contacts a listed key-holder to ask them to visit and find out what the problem is.

What is the role of the key-holder?

A key-holder is a person nominated by you. This can be family, neighbours or friends who will hold a key and be prepared to respond in case of emergency to give access to doctor, ambulance or whichever service is requested by you.

A minimum of 2 key-holders is required, more if available, there is no limit.

Key-holders must be aware they may be contacted any time of the day or night, so with this in mind it is advisable their permission is sought before their names are submitted. A form will be provided at the time of installation which the nominated key-holders are requested to sign. If this is not possible on the day of installation the completed forms can be posted to the Community Alarm Centre, Monkmoor Court, Oswestry, SY11 2XF.

What is the role of the 'Mobile Warden'?

The Community Alarm Centre has the facility to hold a key for you and in the event of all the nominated key-holders being unavailable to respond to an emergency call, the Mobile Warden will be alerted to give access to doctor, ambulance or other relevant service.

Who can have an Alarm unit?

The service is for anyone who wishes to have the peace of mind knowing they can call for help quickly and easily.

What do I need to have a unit installed?

If you have a modern plug-in telephone with a power socket within reasonable distance (usually around 7 feet) the unit can be installed immediately. If you do not have the required modern sockets and power points, then a little more work is necessary. Should you be unsure, the Alarm Centre staff are able to advise on any conversions needed and how to go about getting the work done.

What equipment will I need?

The Alarm Centre will provide the equipment you will need and this can be purchased or leased.

• If you are a Council tenant, the cost is added to the rent of the property and paid in the usual manner.
• If you are an owner occupier or private tenant, then the Council will send you an invoice for the service on a quarterly basis.

Can I see how the system works before I choose to have it?

Yes. Alarm Centre staff are happy to visit you at home and demonstrate the service with no obligations.

There are a number of different ways to pay for your Community Alarm Service.

These are:

Purchase of Unit

• The cost is £175 plus VAT (if applicable)
• You will then need to pay a weekly charge of £1 per week for monitoring your calls.
• This will include an annual visit to you to check the Unit and your details.
• It will also include the cost of repairs and replacements for the first 2 years.*

Lease of Unit

• The charge is £44.40 per quarter (reviewed annually)
• This will include an annual visit to you to check the Unit and your details. The cost will include monitoring, repairs and replacements.*

Optional key-holding and Mobile Warden Visits

* Ask for details of exceptions that may apply.

Contact Details

Oswestry Borough Council
Housing Services
Alexandra Road
Oswestry
Shropshire
SY11 1LU

Contact: Christine Williams
Tel: 01691 650160
Email: christine.williams@oswestry-bc.gov.uk