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Ataxia UK has adopted Text-Connect™ to broaden
it's communication mix and aid contact between sufferers
and it's UK Helpline.
'Ataxia' affects over 10,000 people in the UK and
sufferers have problems with movement, balance, and
speech. The Ataxia UK Helpline is the first point
of contact for people in need of advice, information
or support whether they be a patient, carer, relative
or friend of someone with ataxia.
Text messaging is a vital part of the Ataxia UK Helpline
communications mix. Ataxia is a progressive neurological
condition which can mean speech is very difficult.
In addition some clients have limited access to 'land
line' phones or online services, making contact using
text message invaluable.
To facilitate this Text-Connect™ has provided
the charity with its own 'Text-Number' and texting
software that links directly to the Ataxia UK Helpdesk.
As a hosted service no hardware or software had to
be installed, making Text-Connect™ quick and
easy to implement.
Lyn, Helpline & Advocacy Services Manager
for Ataxia UK says "In order to reach as many
people as we can we aim to provide as many different
modes of contact as we can - phone, email, fax, letter,
and now text messaging using Text-connect.
People now text us and ask us to contact them back
in whatever way is best for them, or to request another
of our services."
She continues "Through Text-Connect we
can act as an intermediary for our clients, where
we can contact another service provider on their behalf.
Sometimes clients are unable to make themselves understood
on the telephone and not all services accept text
messages."
Text-Connect's '2 way' send and receive operation
means the Helpline can reply to enquiries by text
and the fast message delivery means that there is
minimal time lag between sending and delivery, making
SMS text 'conversations' a reality.
Lyn comments "TextConnect is a very valuable
addition to our resources to try and help improve
the quality of life of those affected by ataxia."
Ataxia UK selected the Text-Connect™ 'Business'
package which is aimed at businesses or organisations
who want to utilise SMS text messaging as a business
communications tool.
No formal training was required due to the intuitive,
user friendly nature of the texting system.
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