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HELP
THE AGED LAUNCHES BROADBAND PACKAGE
HELP the Aged is teaming up with Help Broadband to launch a
user-friendly broadband package that focuses on providing a premium
level of customer support. With Help the Aged Broadband, the
aim is to make the internet accessible to everyone, regardless of
their level of experience using a computer. The package therefore
offers a very high level of customer support, provided by internet
experts over the age of 50. This means that the advice given is
guaranteed to be devoid of any ‘techno babble’ and is relayed
in a manner that is easy to understand and at a pace that suits, all
on a local call rate number.
The Help the Aged Broadband package provides up to 8Mb Broadband for
a monthly price of £16.99. It offers the flexibility of a monthly
agreement with no cancellation fee, allowing users to experience all
the benefits of the internet without being tied into an annual
contract, as is the case with many other providers.
Moreover, the internet connection is via a router rather than a
modem, which is much simpler to install, more secure and typically
more reliable. The router is even preconfigured with the user’s
unique user name and password so that it can simply be plugged in
and is ready to use.
Mark Christopher, Senior Manager at Help the Aged comments:-
“The internet can be a great way to access vital services,
information about health, hobbies and employment, purchase products
– and take advantage of exclusively online discounts – as well as
keep in touch with friends and family. However, many older people
tell us that they started using a computer only to give up shortly
afterwards due to a lack of ongoing support. Moreover, around a
third of adults that currently don’t use the internet, feel they
lack both the confidence and knowledge to do so! The thinking
behind Help the Aged Broadband therefore, is to help demystify the
internet and provide customers with the sufficient level of support
required to use the web with confidence and reap all the benefits it
offers. Help the Aged Broadband is the ideal option for those who
are keen to get online, but feel they require help getting
connected, as well as ongoing assistance to avoid any hitches and
make the most of their time on the internet.”
Karen Darby, CEO of the independent price comparison and switching
service, SimplySwitch.com comments:- “Anything that encourages
older people to get online is a good thing, but those entering the
broadband market for the first time should be aware that there are
many other more competitively priced products available.
The Help the Aged broadband deal does have some advantages as it
does not tie customers in to a year’s contract and it offers a
premium level of customer support charged at local call rates.
However, at over £80, the set up costs are significant when compared
with other providers – most of whom offer this for free. When
looking at first year costs alone, consumers can get a 1mb
connection for over £100 less than the Help the Aged deal. The
advertised 8mb headline rate won’t be available in all areas and a
1mb speed is more than adequate for most people – particularly those
new to broadband.
Broadband prices have dropped significantly in recent months. Over
the course of the next year, prices are set to fall even further
while the number of homes connected will continue to increase. I
would be wary of signing up to a product with high set up costs in
such a competitive market.”
Help the Aged Broadband
Package Specification:-
· Premier Package of up to 8Mb Broadband: £16.99 per month
· One-off setup price (for those new to Broadband):- £49.99
· One-off migration price (transfer from another Broadband
supplier):- £14.99
· Router price:- £34.00 (1 Port Router with microfilter,
configuration, and postage)
· Local rate customer support line
· Monthly agreement (no annual tie in)
· No cancellation fees
For more information on Help the Aged Broadband or to get connected,
simply call 0845 363 5051 or log on to
www.helpbroadband.co.uk. |
ONLY
1 IN 3 BRITS ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR JOB
WE ALL wish for the perfect work and life balance. But for
many of us happiness in the work place is a distant dream, according
to a recent national survey undertaken for Lifetime, one of the UK’s
leading leisure training providers.
Only 40% of the 2,000 people surveyed said they were happy in their
career. But this gloomy reality helps explain why more and more
people are leaving office based jobs and re-training instead for
vocational careers. Over half said that having variety was the most
important part of their job and 26% favoured helping others over
sitting behind a desk.
Careers that involve helping others, like teaching, fitness
instructing and policing, came out on top, ahead of office jobs such
as accounting and insurance, which scored the lowest. This
reinforces a trend which sees vocational careers which involve
meeting new people and high levels of social interaction becoming an
increasingly attractive prospect for those wanting a career change.
When asked directly, around 25% said a career in health and fitness
appealed to them.
Heather Frankham, Managing Director at Lifetime, said:-
“People spend a significant proportion of their lives at work, so
it’s vital they should want to get the most from their careers.
Workers who can enjoy their job and maintain a good work/life
balance hold the key to long-lasting happiness. Those who work for
long hours in offices are usually too busy or tired to exercise and
watch what they eat. As a result they often pay the price, with
their health, work and relationships suffering.”
Gone are the days when a job was for life - over 70% of those
questioned have already changed their career more than once. Today,
people want more from their jobs and realise there are many
alternative options available to them. Interestingly, nearly 20%
said they were not qualified for their dream job, but when
considering re-training for a new career, most said they would
prefer part-time training or distance learning to a shorter
full-time course.
Heather said:- “Our flexible home study programmes recognise
that for many individuals in full time jobs, it’s just not practical
to take several weeks off to re-train or enhance current skills.
This survey simply confirms what we are already seeing on a daily
basis. Increasing numbers of disillusioned office workers are
re-training as fitness instructors and personal trainers because
they are searching for job satisfaction and a healthy work/life
balance. There’s never been a better time to be working in health
and fitness. The 2012 Games are now just 6 years away, and as a
nation we’re becoming increasing focused on the impending obesity
crisis and what people can do to help themselves and their children
stay active and healthy.”
Whilst quality of life is important for happiness, over a third of
people said a large salary was most important for them in their job.
Many people may be surprised to find that it’s possible to get both
these things in the leisure sector, as a separate survey recently
has found that Fitness Instructors are predicted to be one of the
highest earners by 2020, with the top instructors earning £80,000.
More than 80% of people’s lives are affected by a bad day’s work.
Over half said their energy levels suffer and 26% said their love
lives dwindled. With doctors warning that unhappiness in the
workplace can lead to stress which increases the risk of illnesses
such as heart disease and some cancers, it can only be good news
that trends are changing and more and more people are making the
step into vocational careers to achieve a healthier and happier
working life.
Government report admits
extending Sunday shopping hours will not create extra jobs
THE independent cost/benefit
analysis of Sunday opening hours, released by the DTI supports the
view of retail union Usdaw that extending Sunday shopping hours
would not create any extra jobs.
Supporters of longer opening hours had claimed thousands of
additional jobs would be created by extending the current 6 limit
hour on large stores opening.
"Supporters of extended hours have peddled the myth that it
will mean extra jobs but the report finally nails that idea as
misleading and not based in reality. Stores will simply shift
staff from weekday shifts to weekend working, but those workers will
have their weekends ruined as they come under extra pressure to turn
in and staff the stores." Usdaw general secretary John
Hannett.
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