The next meeting of Chard Carers Support Group will be on Monday, November 11 when we will be doing some Christmas crafts as a bit of relaxation before the Christmas season really gets going.

Sadly let down by our speaker at the October meeting (Tax and Toyboys!) we instead talked about the BT plans for going digital.

Lots of questions and, fortunately, one of the group has had a lengthy discussion with someone from BT so there was reassurance about, among other numerous questions, what would happen in a power cut (backup batteries for phones) and whether it would be necessary to dig up our lawns or drives to install the new cabling (apparently not).

We also addressed some concerns regarding people who may have, for instance, careline pendants.

These cared for or their carers will need to contact the careline appliance providers to get an update on how to proceed and it is also vitally important to remember that security systems may need to be updated by the suppliers if this is connected to the internet.

Hopefully most of the concerns have now been answered and reports are that BT representatives have a good knowledge of the expected concerns and are able to come up with some remedies; liaison with our carers’ link at Community Council for Somerset and with other local carers’ support groups is providing more information as time goes on and will be shared with the group.

One item of importance was to convey the security information that customers will be contacted by letter only about the appointments needed for BT to come into properties to effect the changeover.

So if anyone is contacted by text, email, phone or by people at the door who do not have a prearranged appointment, you can be sure it is a scam.

It is amazing to think that the copper wire system that was in use before electricity was commonly available in our properties is still the same system in operation to the present day and, despite some initial misgivings, it’s hoped that the digital system and improved capacity will speed up our broadband connections and make communications and information gathering so much more efficient.

Amazing to think that the old copper wire system has coped so well for so long.

For the Christmas period we are looking forward to an outing to Monkton Elm Garden Centre on November 28 for carers and cared for, with an opportunity for a bit of Christmas shopping and a look at their Christmas displays, then on December 9 we will not be at our usual venue as we will be at The George in Donyatt for our Christmas lunch.

Chard Carers’ Support Group offers help, friendship and advice for unpaid carers and is inclusive of anyone caring for spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends or neighbours – whether you are hands on full time or you are more of a befriender of a neighbour who helps out with a bit of shopping, etc.

We balance the importance of socialising with practical advice from ourselves or professionals (if we don’t know the answer, we know someone who does).

If you would like more information about Chard Carers’ Support Group, we meet the second Monday of each month at the hall behind the English Martyrs Church at the traffic lights in Chard (November 11 as usual but not December).

Telephone Pat on 01460 220026 or Kate on 01460 394331 for a chat, email us at chardcarers@aol.com or find us on Facebook.