September 2002
Has your Fridge got the message?
A Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Initiative for Ipswich

'Data Link' is a new scheme launching in the Ipswich region this month. Data pots provide a simple but effective storage for vital information, which can be easily accessed by the Emergency Services if they are called to provide assistance in the case of an accident, or sudden illness in the home.

"simple, effective solution"
Designed to give reassurance to those with a medical condition, or those who feel vulnerable in the home, Data Link is simply a snap-top plastic pot with an immediately recognisable green cross logo, containing personal details that would not always be immediately available from the person involved in the emergency - details such as name, date of birth, medication information (asthmatic, diabetic, heart problems, allergic to certain drugs, as examples), name of GP, Health Visitor, Carer, next of kin or preferred contact, blood group, and so forth. It is stored in, yes, the domestic refrigerator!

"message in a bottle"
The fridge is common to just about all homes, which is one good reason to keep the so-called "message in a bottle" there, but experience has also shown in areas of rural Australia and Canada, where fires in the wood built homes were not unusual, that contents of the fridge were usually spared, even if, finally, somewhat inedible! As in days gone by where those with insured homes displayed appropriate identification, so here Data Link users display a green cross sticker on the fridge door, and another where it can be seen on entry to the dwelling.

Brought to Britain by the National Neighbourhood Watch Association, Data Link was first introduced in Sussex, with initial launch in Littlehampton in March 2000. Since then, over 65,000 units have been distributed in Sussex, and over 50,000 units in Essex. In September 2001, Data Link reached Suffolk with an extremely successful launch in both Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill where some 20,000 units have been purchased and distributed.

It is the aim of the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association to make Data Link available in the Ipswich area, but the difficulty in achieving necessary sponsorship for initial purchase (minimum orders of 10,000 units are necessary) has dictated concentration of effort to more specific sectors, made possible by donations from Ipswich Borough Council, the Suffolk Constabulary and, most gratifyingly, sponsorship from the Ipswich Building Society. 20,000 units have already been purchased, and they have been prepared for distribution through the much appreciated efforts of the "Kids Who Care" group in Needham Market.

Whilst SNWA is driving the Data Link initiative, it is hoped that circulation of the units within the community, to the points of most need, will be assisted by such as GP Surgeries, Pharmacists, Dental Surgeries, Police Stations, Health Visitors, WRVS 'Meals on Wheels', and Community Nurses. Help the Aged and Age Concern have already offered to assist. The formal launch of the initiative for the Ipswich area took place today at Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre, Ipswich.

"Is your fridge stocked?"
Is your fridge stocked? For information on how to access these units, contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, or Julie Dennis at Martlesham Police Headquarters, telephone 01473 613994.

Individuals can call into any branch of Ipswich Building Society to collect a Data Link pot free of charge. However, any donations go directly to producing more stock to maintain the project. The aim is to make Data Link available to all 50,000 households in Ipswich, and eventually to see it countywide.