An 85-year-old St Clears resident has praised her emergency helpline’s staff for saving her life.

Jeanne Walsop fell at home during the freezing weather conditions in January. Luckily, she was wearing her pendant from Careline – Carmarthenshire County Council’s 24-hour service for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people – and within seconds of her raising the alarm, help was on its way.

“I was putting out bread for the birds when I slipped on the step, landed on my back and banged my head,” said Mrs Walsop. “I was wearing my Careline pendant, and I thought ‘thank heavens for that’!

“Within seconds I had a response – I heard a voice come over and the gentleman on the other side said ‘hang on Mrs Walsop, we are sending someone to help’. Within minutes my neighbour came around, followed quite quickly by an ambulance.

“I was taken to West Wales General Hospital and they treated me to a few X-rays, but thankfully all I came away with was some pretty colourful bruises!

“Everybody has been so wonderful – if I had not had such a quick response it could have been a very difference outcome.

“It is a valuable service and I want to say a big thank you to all the staff.”

Mrs Walsop is one of over 6,500 Carmarthenshire residents that use Careline, which provides reassurance and help in an emergency.

The confidential call system enables people to speak to someone or call for help even if they can’t get to a phone.

The service provides a lifeline, which is attached to a phone line, and a pendant that they can wear around their home and garden.

By pressing the pendant, or the button on the lifeline, the person is connected directly to Careline.

From the moment the call comes through, Careline knows who they are, where they live and who to contact.

Councillor Kevin Madge, the county council’s customer care champion said: “Careline is an excellent service which provides a lifeline for vulnerable people. It gives them the reassurance and peace of mind that help is readily available if they need it.

“I am so glad Mrs Walsop was able to call for help, and is recovering well from her ordeal.”

For further information about Careline, call 01558 824283, or email careline@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.