OLDER people in east Durham frustrated with picking up the phone to cold callers can get support to increase their confidence to put the phone down with help from a new scheme.

Staff and volunteers from Age UK County Durham will be at a number of community centres in the East Durham Rural Corridor in the next few weeks. The Beat the Scammers initiative is supported with funding from the local area action partnership.

George Barber, the charity’s development worker, said: “Nuisance calls are a real problem for older people who are targeted by criminals and high pressure sales.

“We have free information packs and can install free basic call blocker units for those who are receiving high numbers of nuisance calls and are on welfare benefits or are vulnerable to criminals.

“If you buy your own call blocker we can offer help to set it up.

“We would love to see you so please come and get your free pack and never be stressed by cold callers again.”

Age UK County Durham was formed in 1974 and aims to make later life enjoyable for all older people in the area by influencing policies and practices that affect their lives, challenging views and improving understanding of the ageing process.

The team will be at Cassop Community Centre on Tuesday from 10am-11am; Bowburn Community Centre on Wednesday, from 9.30am-3pm; Quarrington Hill Community Centre on Tuesday November 28, from 10.30am-11.45am and

Bowburn Community Centre on Thursday November 30 from 12.30pm-4pm.

For more information contact 0191 374 6568 or bts@ageukcountydurham.org.uk.