Skip to content

Free digital doorbells given to vulnerable people

Karen Gardner
BBC News, West of England
BBC Shirley who has grey hair and is smiling. She is wearing a light blue jumper and is sat on a patterned seat which has a cushion on it. BBC
Shirley says her new digital doorbell is "very helpful and reassuring"

Vulnerable people are being given free digital doorbells to boost their security.

Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust (WBVT) is installing the devices to support disabled adults, pensioners, and people experiencing domestic abuse.

Shirley, who is in her 80s and lives in Corsham, Wiltshire, said she was very happy to have had one fitted and finds its presence "helpful and reassuring".

The equipment works using a smartphone or tablet and generates video of anyone calling at the door.

Photo of a digital doorbell installed in Corsham by Wiltshire's Bobby Van Trust. There is a white brick wall and the door has a net curtain on it.
The bells work via a smartphone and can store images on the cloud for retrieval at a later date

As well as seeing callers, people can also communicate with visitors through the device.

Shirley said it helps her family to know she is secure.

"It's a great help to me and my children," she said. "They realise if it helps me, it is helping them."

Vincent Logue who works for the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust. He is wearing a black t-shirt with a logo on and has grey hair and has his glasses on top of his head. In the background is a clock and part of a radiator can be seen.
Vincent Logue works for the Bobby Van Trust installing the bells and providing home safety and security advice

Several councils have donated grants to the trust to fund the work, including Corsham Town Council which gave £490.

David Martin, chief executive of the council, said making sure Corsham is a "safe and healthy community" is one of their priorities.

"We are passionate about improving people's lives," Mr Martin said.

"We support measures to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and the request from the Bobby Van trust fitted well with our own aims."

Related Internet Links