Connecting through iPad apps

Meet May

In November we delivered an iPad to 89-year-old May as part of our Computer Delivery project. The iPad had been provided to us for distribution by the Connecting Scotland programme and also included a year of internet connectivity.

After delivery our digital champion Helen helped her connect her new iPad to the internet and get started on the device. Soon after she had already received her first email, done a bit of Googling around Sean Connery, solved couple of crossword clues, tried to catch a candid photo of her energetic cat, and discovered playlists of Matt Monro on Spotify.

Before this May had never been online before. Now with her device, internet connection and passion to learn she’s discovering new apps and ways to explore her favourite things and stay connected with her family.

3 weeks later

We spoke to May again 3 weeks later to see how she was getting on with her iPad and discovered that her drive to discover the wonders of the online world had only increased.

She has now mastered Zoom and is able to engage online calls, which has allowed her to join her faith community online once a week. Alongside this she is deep in email conversation with her sister in Canada, frequently sending and receiving messages from her. She’s also been planning some future excursions using the Lothian Bus app, ensuring suitable weather-appropriate outfits based on the BBC Weather app.

Finding sustainable solutions

We’re delighted to have been able to provide May with a device, skills and internet connection. Working with Connecting Scotland has allowed us to provide connectivity to many recipients, making a big difference in their lives as the pandemic continues. However, data provisions such as May’s 1 year plan are temporary.

We must now search for sustainable solutions to data poverty. Our recent event, Connect Four: Digital Inclusion, brought together key voices in digital from across the four sectors to create tangible change towards digital inclusion. We have now published our preliminary event report which outlines recommendations for what we have identified as the biggest obstacle to digital inclusion: data poverty. Read the report and join our Connect Four network to get involved with our campaign for digital inclusion.