Being able to get online can be an essential lifeline.
Throughout the coronavirus crisis, the internet kept most of us connected to friends and family, informed and entertained, and able to learn, work, shop and access health information and other public services.
Some people however were unable to access these benefits because they didn’t have the confidence, kit or connectivity at home.
To address this, we now have these government and local community supports to help individuals and families access and gain the benefits of being online.
Connecting Scotland Programme
In their Programme for Government, The Scottish Government has committed to investing up to £200 million to support digital inclusion during the lifetime of this parliament. This is being carried out via the Connecting Scotland Programme to give up to 300,000 households get the devices, data and skills to connect.
The Connecting Scotland Programme is a Scottish Government funded initiative that was set up at the start of the pandemic to help get every citizen in Scotland online. To date over 1,500 East Ayrshire families have benefitted from the programme, which has given them a device, connectivity and wraparound 'Digital Champion' support.
You can find out more on the Connecting Scotland website.
Input Community Works
Input Community Works, a locally based charity in Ayrshire, works with adults with learning disabilities or additional support needs and helps prepare them for the world of work.
They have been instrumental in helping tackle digital exclusion and poverty in East Ayrshire while also supporting the Scottish Government’s ICT Green Strategy by recycling old, new and unwanted digital devices and giving them back to local people who are at risk or experiencing digital exclusion for little or no cost.
During the pandemic, Input supported over 200 East Ayrshire families helping them get online by providing them with a recycled device, technical support and where possible connectivity.
You can find out more on the Input Community Works website.
Accessible broadband for struggling families
A new service run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will allow broadband providers to verify whether customers are receiving relevant benefits, making them eligible for extra financial support, such as reduced broadband bills.
The verification service means customers on Universal Credit and other benefits must give their consent before the internet service provider can speak to DWP about their eligibility for the schemes, including access to broadband ‘social tariffs’ and mobile phone deals.
Digital Poverty Alliance – Tech4 Families
As part of their efforts and mission to eradicate digital poverty in the UK by 2030, the Digital Poverty Alliance partnered with Currys in June 2022 to launch their Tech4Families Scheme.
Five areas (Ayrshire being the only area in Scotland) in the United Kingdom have been identified where they know lots of people are struggling to make ends meet.
The Tech4Families Scheme provides families with of a computer (and where required, six months connectivity) helping them get online to realise the benefits of being connected.
More information can be found at Digital Poverty Alliance: Tech4Families.
AbilityNet – ConnectingU Scheme
AbilityNet is a pioneering UK charity with a global perspective. They believe the power of digital technology should be available to everyone, regardless of ability or age.
Building on the success of the Scottish Government funded Connecting Scotland Programme, AbilityNet launched their ConnectingU Scheme in partnership with Lenovo in April 2022.
The scheme distributed 300 digital devices and support to older and disabled people who were struggling to access any digital service. With a their network of over 300 community-based volunteers and online resources they were able to help individuals with any disability, of any age, to use all kinds of digital technology.
Members of the East Ayrshire Digital Access Network (EADAN) successfully participated in the programme and received a share of the resources, which has helped families in East Ayrshire get online and learn new skills.
You can find out more at AbilityNet: ConnectingU scheme.
Respite Now – National Data Bank Initiative
The National Databank, setup by the Good Things Foundation, provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people in need via Good Things Foundation’s network of local community partners.
Community organisations can apply to access the databank, so they can provide data to people in their communities who need it. Respite Now, part of the National Databank Initiative, provides free 02, Three and Vodafone SIM cards until 2023 to those experiencing data poverty.
Shire Housing Association, a local social housing provider and member of EADAN, successfully applied to become a Community Partner and received 1,000 data sim cards, which are distributing to their tenants as part of their drive to tackle data poverty in East Ayrshire.
You can find out more at Good Things Foundation: National Databank.