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Monday 11th July 2011
Lifeline celebrates 25 years
Wealden and Eastbourne Lifeline (WEL) celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the local lifeline service at a garden party on Eastbourne seafront.
From left to right: The Chair of Wealden and Eastbourne Lifeline (WEL) Hilary Hughes, Mark Bannister, The Mayor of Eastbourne Cllr Carolyn Heaps, The Vice Chair of Wealden District Council Cllr Dr Brian Redman and Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd.
In 1986, Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council saw the opportunity to use new technologies to provide people with a greater level of safety, security and reassurance, allowing them to continue enjoying independent living.
WEL was subsequently created following a groundbreaking decision by councillors and officers from both authorities to merge their respective lifeline services into a not-for-profit company with a focus on providing and developing market leading telecare and telehealth solutions.
WEL has grown rapidly, now supporting nearly 30,000 customers across the UK, handling 600,000 annual calls and employing over 80 people in a range of different roles.
WEL Managing Director, Mark Bannister, said:
“Under the guidance of our board of directors we have achieved a threefold increase in the number of people we support and now offer a much greater range of telecare and telehealth services than we when first started 25 years ago.
“WEL has become a major success story in the regional business community and is now well placed to expand and develop as a leading UK provider of services that enable people to enjoy independent living.”