What is Reconnect?
Reconnect supported to adults and families to improve wellbeing by increasing digital and social inclusion. We did this by providing in-person support in Edinburgh and the Lothians and through our Digital Support helpline, offering digital support across Scotland.
We always believed that digital inclusion and social inclusion are linked and together contribute to enhanced wellbeing. We provided a supportive environment to reduce social isolation through building digital skills and maintaining connections, helping people to stay connected, improve financial health, increase employability, access resources and more.
We also helped adults recovering from addiction to become digitally included. Scotland has the highest drug-death rate in Europe. Increasing digital inclusion creates opportunities including finding recovery groups, discovering useful tools and apps, tracking housing applications, applying for Universal Credit, keeping in touch with family or rediscovering hobbies online.
We were a UK Network Ambassador with Good Things Foundation, delivering training across the UK.
Our approach
We used a three-faceted approach to digital inclusion, providing support through digital groups, one-to-one, and through the Digital Support Helpline. Through these interventions, we helped with:
- Using devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers
- Connecting to the internet
- Navigating the web and social media
- Completing everyday tasks online
- Connecting with the community, family and friends
- Accessing support networks
- Managing finances, paying bills and saving money online
- Reducing costs (energy providers, data plans, shopping, etc.)
- Finding opportunities for education and employment
- Feeling less isolated and having someone to talk to
- Learning more about the upcoming PSTN phone line switch-over to digital - for customers of any landline service provider
Hear what it was like to attend one of our digital groups, as featured on the Keeping Edinburgh podcast.
Over-the-phone digital support
Our Digital Support Helpline was open to anyone in Scotland, offering support with computers, tablets, laptops, smartphones, connectivity and all things digital. We ran the helpline in partnership with the Scottish Government and SCVO. We also partnered with BT and numerous telecoms providers including Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Sky, to provide support and information about the switch to digital landlines.
In-person digital support
Edinburgh & the Lothians
We ran digital groups with partner organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians, providing opportunities to learn about technology, feel supported, meet up with others, and feel more included in the community. Each session was designed from the experiences and input of our coordinators to make them easy, enjoyable, and open to anyone who needs help with digital, including families, young adults, those seeking employment and older people.
Please note that the digital groups below are still being run by our partner organisations however times and locations may be subject to changes. Contact the organisation directly for more information.
Let's end data poverty
Our learning from delivering Reconnect informed our national campaign to end data poverty, Connectivity Now
With demand for Reconnect projects growing during the pandemic, the need for action in Scotland to combat digital exclusion and in particular data poverty has become increasingly clear. Our Connectivity Now report and manifesto map three key actions that we believe can end data poverty.
Our partners, funders & supporters
