Age UK, the charity for older people formed from Age Concern and Help the Aged, has teamed up with virtual mobile network CyCell to launch its own mobile phone deal.
The Age UK My Phone is customised when it’s ordered, offering up to eight buttons programmed with the telephone numbers of important contacts. Rather than using numbers, the buttons show each person’s name. The user simply presses the appropriate button to call.
Handsets cost £55 with a choice of tariffs from £7.50 per month for 50 minutes of calls. A special Christmas gift package is priced at £87.50 for the handset and six months of service.
Helena King, Head of Affinity at Age UK, said “According to latest research, 88% of people aged 65+ use a fixed landline as their main method of making and receiving phone calls. It’s therefore not surprising that some older people may have limited experience of using mobile technology and the benefits it has to offer. We know how important it is to stay in touch and we’ve listened to feedback from older people, so we’re delighted to be launching the Age UK My Phone. It’s easy to use and means that people can contact their nearest and dearest at literally the touch of a button.”
The phone is available to buy by phone, by post and at selected Age UK shops.
CyCell introduced its customisable mobile phone, which doesn’t have a display or a conventional keypad, last December.