<h1>Reconnect</h1>

What is Reconnect?

Reconnect offers support to adults and families to help them improve wellbeing by increasing digital and social inclusion. We do this by providing in-person support in Edinburgh and the Lothians and through our Digital Support helpline, offering digital support across Scotland.

We believe that digital inclusion and social inclusion are linked and together contribute to enhanced wellbeing. We provide 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 help 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 are a UK Network Ambassador with Good Things Foundation, delivering training across the UK.

How does it work?

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 can help 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's like to attend one of our digital groups, as featured on the Keeping Edinburgh podcast.


Someone receiving support from a member of the Reconnect team and helpline coordinator, sitting in front of a laptop
Read our service leaflet

Connecting Scotland helpline

Over-the-phone digital support

Call us from anywhere in Scotland

Do you have a question about digital? Ask us anything!

Call our Digital Support Helpline from anywhere in Scotland. The helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and offers support with computers, tablets, laptops, smartphones, connectivity and all things digital.

We run the helpline in partnership with the Scottish Government and SCVO. We are also partnered with BT and in conversation with numerous telecoms providers including Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Sky, allowing us to provide support and information about the switch to digital landlines.

0800 0590 690

Digital and wellbeing

In-person digital support

Edinburgh & the Lothians

One-to-one

We offer both one-to-one and group in-person digital support. Individuals can be referred or self-refer for one-to-one support using the form below.

Make a referral for one-to-one support

Digital groups

We also run 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. You don't need to have a referral to come to these groups and can pop by as little or as often as you like. Each session is 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.

We're open to developing new groups in collaboration with community centres, other agencies, charities and anyone that is working with adults, to support their digital and wellbeing needs. If you are interested in this please get in touch.

Enter your postcode or browse the map below to find the digital group closest to you. Each group runs at a different time during the week. You can pop into any open group listed on this page.

      Laichfield


      Tuesdays
      10am - 12pm

      Learn basic digital skills, shopping online, device management

      Get directions

      Moira Park


      Tuesdays
      2pm - 4pm

      Learn basic digital skills, shopping online, device management

      Get directions

      Craigmillar Library


      Wednesdays
      10am - 12pm

      Learn basic digital skills, applying for jobs online and editing CVs and cover letters

      Get directions

      Port of Leith


      Fridays
      10am - 12pm

      Learn basic digital skills, applying for jobs online and editing CVs and cover letters

      Get directions
      Connecting Scotland helpline

      Supporting Scotland with the switch to digital landlines

      We've partnered with BT to run 50 events in rural areas of Scotland, providing people with the information they need to prepare for the upcoming switch from the analogue PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to digital landlines. With Scotland home to many rural areas with low mobile signal, older population and regular power cuts, we're passionate about raising awareness of the digital switchover and providing landline users with the reassurance and information they need to prepare for the change.

      We’re looking for organisations that can run an event in rural areas of Scotland, providing information to help people learn more and make the switch. We’ll provide support, training and cover the costs. If you're interested, please contact our Communications team at communications@peopleknowhow.org.

      If you or those you support need help with the switch but can’t run an event, you can also contact our Digital Support Helpline on 0800 0590 690 for help and advice. We can offer information and support for all those affected by the switchover no matter your provider.

      Contact us
      Midlothian

      9:00am - 1:00pm
      Friday 23 August
      One Dalkeith Hub
      21 Eskdaill Ct
      Dalkeith
      EH22 1AG

      Run by One Dalkeith

      East Lothian

      9:00am - 1:00pm
      Thursday 29 August
      Dunbar Library
      Bleachingfield Community Centre
      Dunbar
      EH42 1DX

      Run by People Know How

      Clackmannanshire

      10:00am - 2:00pm
      Monday 2 September
      Devonvale Hall
      Moss Road
      Tillicoultry
      FK13 6NS

      Run by CAC Skills Development Centre

      Angus

      10:30 - 2:30pm
      Wednesday 4 September
      MacNiven Hall
      The Hub at Friockheim
      Eastgate, Friockheim
      DD11 4TG

      Run by GoodCall Mobile CIC

      North Lanarkshire

      2:30pm - 6:30pm
      Thursday 5 September
      Shotts Library
      Benhar Road
      Shotts
      ML7 5EN

      Run by North Lanarkshire Council

      End data poverty

      Let's end data poverty

      Our learning from delivering Reconnect has 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. Read the report and join our campaign today.

      Find out more and pledge

      Volunteer


      Got a spare couple of hours a week?


      Become a Digital Support Volunteer. You could support adults and families to improve digital and wellbeing at our digital groups. From offering a friendly ear to supporting someone to use a digital device, you'll be making a difference in someone's life.

      We'll provide training, support and opportunities for personal development.


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      See current opportunities

      Collaborate


      Work with us to end digital exclusion and data poverty


      If you're an individual, organisation or community group interested in collaborating with us, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you want to develop a new digital group in your space or join our campaign to end data poverty, please get in touch.

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      Contact us

      Donate


      Help us continue to support people to improve digital inclusion


      Donate to People Know How and help us improve people's wellbeing and solve social issues. There's a few ways to donate, including direct donations, charity prize lotteries, or via the Give as you Live extension which allows you to donate while shopping online at no cost to you.


      Donate today
      Scotland's Digital Inclusion Charter - Recognised
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      Good Things Foundation Network Ambassador
      We're being supported by the ScottishPowerFoundation in 2024
      Scottish Charity Awards 2021 Winner Digital Citizens

      Our partners, funders & supporters

      Thank you to our funders, partners and supporters past and present for making Reconnect possible. As well as the funders listed below, this service is also funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

      Scottish Government
      Good Things Foundation
      SCVO
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      Good Things Foundation
      Virgin Media O2
      Vodafone
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      East Lothian Council
      Community Fund
      The Robertson Trust logo
      Nominet
      National Lottery Community Fund logo
      Walter Scott logo
      VCEL
      Queen Margaret University Edinburgh
      University of Edinburgh
      Community Renewal: Transforming Communities
      Bridges
      Cyrenians
      Score Scotland
      Space
      Fisherrow Centre
      The Ripple
      Scottish Seniors Computer Club
      Hibernian Community Foundation Logo
      LifeCare
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      Community Renewal
      Connecting Scotland