Lights, camera, action! This week Lifeline staff became TV stars as a film crew rolled into town to shoot a film about the Lifeline emergency response service.

Staff from the Lifeline team starred alongside professional actors, highlighting how the 24/7 Lifeline service works and how it can help people live safely and independently in their own homes.

The Lifeline service is an alarm unit and personal pendant, which is linked through the individual’s telephone line to a 24/7 control centre. When an alarm is triggered it instantly connects the individual to an experienced control centre operator, who will take the most appropriate action to help, which could be to contact the emergency services, a family member or neighbour or to send a mobile warden to assist.

The filming took place at the Lifeline ‘smart home’ in Leyland, which demonstrates the full range of telecare sensors in a real life setting, bringing the equipment to life to highlight the positive impact telecare can have on both service users and their carers. A scene was also filmed in the 24-hour control centre at the Leyland offices of New Progress Housing Association, who run the service.

Steve McKieran, Telecare Services Manager at New Progress Housing Association, said: “After two years working in the telecare industry I have found one of the major barriers is letting people know about the service. I attend many public events and I’m always amazed at how few people know about the service or how it works. The aim of this film is to demonstrate how simple and effective the Lifeline service is and to raise awareness of it so that more people can benefit from the independence and reassurance that it provides.”

The Lifeline service is available to anyone, of any age, and can provide an emergency link to people for lots of different reasons, such as people who live alone, people who are at risk of falls, anyone recovering from illness, returning home from hospital, adults and children with disabilities who want to maintain their independence and people wishing to feel safe in their home.

For as little as 55p a week, Lifeline can provide long-term comfort and independence, as well a reassurance to families, friends and carers.

The Lifeline film is now being edited and will premiere on www.progressgroup.org.uk/lifeline and on the Lifeline Facebook page and YouTube channel later this summer.

http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/2011-07-25-Its-lights-camera-action-for-Lifeline-staff