Kara service

In 2020, we introduced the Kara service as part of a response to the coronavirus pandemic in partnership with RETHINK Partners and Alcove.

The service provides people with virtual care and support through videophones. Those with little, or no technical ability, can connect with loved ones and caregivers. The contract with Kara has now ended as we have now fully mobilised our Technology Enhanced Lives Service.

We will only be able to continue the Kara service for people who are eligible to receive social care support from us. If you do not currently receive care support and hold a Kara device, there are 3 options available:

  • If you do not have a broadband internet service and wish to keep the Kara Carephone, we will gift the device to you. You will need to pay a monthly £25 subscription charge to continue the service. Call 0203 966 1121 or email ask@youralcove.com or press the Ask Alcove button on your device.
  • If you have a broadband service and wish to keep the Kara Carephone, we will gift the device to you. You will need to pay a £15 monthly subscription charge to continue the service. Call 0203 966 1121 or email ask@youralcove.com or press the Ask Alcove button on your device.
  • If you no longer require the Kara Carephone, we will gift you the device and you can use it as a normal tablet. A factory reset process will need to be carried out to remove the Kara software. Alcove can carry this out for you, or you can go to the Samsung Website and search for ‘How do I perform a factory reset on my mobile device?’ to get instructions.

What you need to do

Let us know which of the 3 options you would like to do, to tell us:

If there are any concerns or questions, please contact us:

If we did not hear from you by 1 April 2023, we will assume you no longer wished to continue with the service and the device will no longer work after 30 April 2023.