Posted: Monday 6th July 2026

This week marks the 44th anniversary of Herts Careline’s assistive technology service and we’re celebrating our longstanding commitment to supporting local residents with reliable emergency support.

Over these past 44 years, assistive technology has advanced considerably, becoming increasingly reliable and accommodating for more complex needs. It’s interesting to look back at where we started. In July of 1982, Careline was launched from Peter Sell House in Hitchin, in an operation that is almost unrecognisable from our way of working today. All the calls to clients were managed through a two-way radio and were recorded on reel tapes!

As we reached 1992, the technology was evolving and the assistive equipment was starting to look a bit more familiar compared to what we use today. However, there are still plenty of notable differences from those early days!

The Careline team

Careline team posing for a team photo in their control room in 1992

Alarm and Pendants

Careline customer posing with Careline team members and Councillor with equipment in 1990's

The Control Room

The Careline control room in 1992 with two call operators working on their desks at computers.

While the technology has changed dramatically over the past 44 years, Herts Careline’s purpose has remained the same; to help people feel safer, more independent and better supported in their own homes. As we look back on how far the service has come, we also celebrate all our team members, past and present, who have helped build and cultivate a dedicated, customer-focused service. We look forward to continuing to adapt, innovate and support residents for many years to come.

Careline team members, Councilor Val Bryant and Customers director Johanne Dufficy posting in control room with award plaque.