City councillors in Belfast have unveiled a new scheme which will enable pensioners to collect a free personal attack alarm from their GP surgery.
The move is part of an initiative to provide safety packs to all pensioners in the city in a bid to make them feel less vulnerable.
Councillor Margaret McKenzie, chair of the East Belfast District Policing Partnership sub-group, said: “It has been a huge undertaking – we’re rolling this out to the more than 55,000 people in Belfast aged 65 and over – but I’m delighted that we are now able to launch the initiative and would encourage all those who are eligible to take advantage of it.
“Creating a safer city is one of the council’s main priorities and these packs are aimed at giving older people advice and reassurance on how to stay safe and, perhaps more importantly, feel safe at home and in the community.”
As well as the alarm, the Safe Seniors pack also includes information and advice leaflets on personal and home safety.
The packs can also be collected from council-owned facilities including leisure and community centres, libraries and post offices.
They will also be available from the beginning of November in Tesco and Co-Op supermarkets, as well as Help the Aged and Oxfam shops.
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