Wavelength - The Television and Radio Charity

WaveLength provides televisions and radios for isolated and lonely people, at no cost to the recipient. In some exceptional cases, we can also help cover the costs of a TV licence or aerial for beneficiaries who don't already have one. WaveLength takes care of all installation and delivery (although beneficiaries should retune and maintain their sets).

Our beneficiaries cover a wide spectrum, but typically they're over 75, and living with chronic sickness, disability or mental illness.

We also work with The Medical Foundation and Helen Bamber Foundation to help victims of torture, with Women's Aid to help women and children fleeing domestic violence, and with various organisations which support people as they emerge from long-term homelessness or institutionalisation.

Televisions and radios seem such small things, but for our beneficiaries, they provide one of the most important human needs: contact with the outside world. A television or radio is a comforting and relaxing companion for those going through tough times. Most of us take these pieces of equipment for granted. But for people who find it hard to leave their own houses, and suffer greatly from loneliness, a TV or radio can be a major source of wellbeing.

Our beneficiaries tell us that the companionship and contact they get from their televisions and radios is invaluable. Our equipment's been described as ‘a lifeline', ‘my company,' and ‘my only source of enjoyment.'

WaveLength in the Wider Community

What really matters to us is the positive impact that our work has on our beneficiaries. We constantly work to ensure that donations to WaveLength are used in the most efficient and cost-effective way, and we conduct research among our beneficiaries in order to measure the impact of our work.

We carry out regular reassessments of changing social need in order to gauge the effectiveness of our services, and any need to widen or adapt them. We welcome any suggestions which help us to respond to changes in the wider social landscape.

We also represent the needs of vulnerable people in respect to media and entertainment on a governmental level, through membership of organisations including the Consumer Expert Group and Digital Action Plan.

Mr. M. would like to express his gratitude and appreciation to your organisation for supplying him with a colour TV and licence. The delivery people were great; they set it up and tuned it in for him. It makes a big difference to him; he previously had a small old black and white one, now he has got a bigger size, great reception and a remote control. Well done!