As part of Challenge Poverty Week 2022, we're examining what challenging poverty can look like through the lens of data poverty. We believe that people-focused community support to use digital is a key step in breaking the cycle of poverty and improving social inclusion. Services and systems are essential, but so is having the digital knowledge, devices, and connectivity to access these resources.
A new start
Finding your feet in a new place is never easy. As more and more essential resources and support move online, digital access, skills, and connectivity are increasingly a necessity for social inclusion and financial stability. When moving somewhere new, this becomes even more important. Knowledge of common websites, price comparison databases, and even local shops takes time to acquire, and language barriers can extend that time further – all while impacting access to employment, housing, and essential services.
Julia moved to Scotland in 2020 as a single mother. Due to financial circumstances, she could not afford a laptop. This made adjusting to a new country even more difficult and prevented her from, amongst other things, enrolling in English classes and accessing employment opportunities.
Tailoring support
Julia was first referred to our Reconnect service by her work coach with the Department for Work & Pensions. We provided her with a Chromebook laptop and invited her to join one of our weekly digital groups for further support.
Julia was very optimistic and willing to learn, but unfortunately work and childcare responsibilities soon made it impossible to keep attending the digital group. In order to tackle this scheduling issue, our Digital & Wellbeing Coordinator Filip began supporting Julia on a one-to-one basis, allowing him to tailor the support to her individual needs.
“Filip helped me with a lot of things…I couldn’t write in English before we started but he showed me how to sign up for classes and how to set everything up. He is a great teacher with a lot of patience."
Digital and financial independence
With Filip’s support, Julia grew both her ability to use her laptop as well as her confidence. With access to this online world, she was able to enrol in an online English course and learned how to apply for grants for her family. When she became eligible for council housing, Filip also supported her in making housing bids and Julia was soon able to make bids independently.
One of the most immediate differences that Julia’s new digital skills made was that she was now able to plan to take her family on holiday, having learned how to find affordable train tickets online by booking well in advance. This knowledge opened up previously closed opportunities and the chance to make new memories with her family in the UK.
“Filip showed me how to buy tickets so me and my daughter could go to Blackpool on holiday. It was fantastic and she had so much fun!"
New skills and communities
Nowadays, adjusting to a new country and establishing financial security is a huge challenge without access to devices and digital skills. Some of our most important social and digital resources are now largely housed online and make a big difference to an individual’s quality of life.
“If anyone is wanting to learn computer skills, but feeling nervous about coming to a group, I would tell them ‘Go for it!’ If teachers had been like Filip when I was in school, I would have enjoyed it so much more.”
Accessing the digital world proved indispensable to improving Julia's social inclusion, giving her more opportunities to practice her English and find new employment. We are thrilled at the strides Julia has taken and are excited to see where her journey takes her next!