People Know How has been named a winner of Holyrood’s Digital Health & Care Awards in the category of Digital Inclusion.
In February we were awarded a Digital Health & Care Award for ‘Innovative Grassroots Collaboration for Digital Inclusion’, recognising the work of our Reconnect service, which supports adults and families to improve wellbeing by increasing digital and social inclusion. The awards are hosted by Holyrood Connect.
Grassroots collaboration
In 2022, we relaunched our Reconnect model, having grown rapidly over the course of 2020 and 2021 due to our support of over 4,000 people and operation of the national Connecting Scotland digital support helpline. The model looks to the grassroots of the communities that need our support.
By working with grassroots organisations, we have created a network of free digital groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians. We’ve partnered with local community groups, fellow charities, libraries, community spaces, and more. Together we can combine the organisation’s knowledge of their community with our knowledge of supporting people to improve digital inclusion and wellbeing.
All are welcome to attend, including families, young adults, those seeking employment or the elderly. And it’s not just digital exclusion that the groups tackle, but also social isolation. These welcoming spaces allow people to meet up with others while learning about technology and feeling more included in the community.
Reconnect also offers one-to-one support, an option that can eventually lead to participation in a digital group setting. Or if you can’t make it along to a digital group, we also run the national Connecting Scotland digital support helpline, providing advice and help with using devices, staying safe online, managing finances and more.
Recognising our work
After rounding off 2023 with our successful Reconnect 10 Year Anniversary event all about improving digital inclusion in Scotland, we were delighted to kick off 2024 with a Digital Inclusion Award!
Our Reconnect Service Manager Kimberley Alshaikly and Development & External Relationship Manager Tanya Anderson accepted the award from Holyrood Connect on 21 February.
Huge congratulations to the team, including our Reconnect Service Manager, Acting Team Leaders, Digital & Wellbeing Coordinators and Workers, and our team of volunteers, interns and placement students.