SBHA Tenants Get Online Through Connecting Scotland
Scottish Borders Housing Association is helping digitally excluded Tenants get online in time for Christmas, following successful applications to the Connecting Scotland programme.
SBHA has already received 91 digital kits (including devices and mifis) through Connecting Scotland and distributed these to shielded Tenants on low incomes who were at risk of isolation due to Coronavirus. A further 100 Tenants are set to benefit from this programme following SBHA’s successful application to Phase 2 of this Scottish Government initiative. SBHA’s team of Digital Champions, trained by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), are supporting Tenants to set up their devices and helping them to develop their skills and confidence to get online.
Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government funded initiative which aims to reach 50,000 people across Scotland by the end of 2021 – to find out more visit https://connecting.scot/.
Commenting on the initiative, Maria Lyle, SBHA’s Director of Business Support, said:
“SBHA is committed to digital inclusion and we are supporting the Connecting Scotland initiative, working with Scottish Borders Council and SCVO, as part of our efforts to reduce loneliness and isolation. The current Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted more than ever the value digital technology brings in enabling people to stay in touch with one another and to access support and services. Some of our Tenants have been unable to do this because they do not have the means to access to an appropriate device and connectivity, so we are delighted to have secured the support they need through the Connecting Scotland and our team of Digital Champions are on hand to help them get online and develop their skills and confidence in using their devices.”
One of the SBHA Tenants benefiting from the initiative commented:
“I’m a bit apprehensive, as it’s all so new. It will hopefully be all right once I get used to it! I’m looking forward to being able to get the news, do crosswords, and if lockdown comes in again and my family can’t visit it’ll be great to be able to do video calls.”
SBHA’s Neighbourhood Housing Officer and Digital Champion, Susan Falconer said recently:
“Being online is something that so many of us just take for granted, and so many service providers now just assume that customers have online access. As Digital Champions, we have been paired with Tenants receiving devices to work with them, so that we can help them build their skills and confidence to use their devices, whether they want to do an online shop or Skype call their grandchildren.”
Susan Falconer, Neighbourhood Housing Officer and Digital Champion
#ConnectingScotland