Verbal Presentation by Rosie Atkin of Connected Nottinghamshire
Minutes:
Rosie Atkin of Connected Nottinghamshire, informed the committee of the digital inclusion work being undertaken across the county to help and support citizens to improve their social and digital inclusion skills and ability. The following points were highlighted and questions from the committee responded to:
a) this area of work was established as a result of research undertaken in 2018 and several support schemes have been launched to help promote digital communication across the whole community;
b) the predominant focus for digital inclusion is to increase digital access and interaction with the health sector, but also within and between communities and partners;
c) the gaps in digital inclusion were recognised prior to the pandemic, but lockdown has highlighted the vast range, and high levels of digital deprivation in relation to access to the internet, devices and also ability;
d) initially schemes were taken into the community with face-to-face support at digital pop-up hubs at community venues and in job centres, as if a roadshow, but due to COVID-19, a different approach has been taken and support is now provided by telephone;
e) in addition to community and citizen support, there is a Digital Champion Scheme which trains staff and community workers, such as receptionist at GP surgeries, to teach and assist citizens/patients with digital communication, such as for online booking of appointments and services, and accessing the NHS App to access health information, enabling them to then support other people;
f) during the past two months approximately 77 citizens have contacted the service for support. This may appear a relatively low figure, but each engagement may take a substantial amount of time and the Digital Inclusion Team only consists of three people;
g) the Digital Workforce Package is available for small businesses;
h) the ‘Tablet Lending Scheme’ pilot is aimed at voluntary and community services and organisations to help encourage digital access and ensure members stay connected. The pilot scheme has been well received and is currently operating with one community group but there has been a lot interest shown from other groups;
i) tackling the inequality in digital inclusion requires a partnership approach and can’t be achieved in isolation so it is important that the Community and Voluntary Sector, partners and individuals promote the roll-out of the opportunities offered.
More information can be found on the Connected Nottinghamshire website: https://www.connectednottinghamshire.nhs.uk/ or by telephoning 0115 883 8873
Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, commented that inequality of internet access within the City has recently been highlighted for school children during the first lockdown when they were required to work from home. It was found that some families were relying on just one device, often a mobile phone, for digital communication. As a result, the Education Department of Nottingham City Council worked to provide laptops to some particularly vulnerable families and although some Central Government funding was provided, the City Council used the pupil premium to support the digital inclusion agenda.
Resolved
1) to note the valuable work of Connected Nottinghamshire;
2) to record the Committee’s thanks to Rosie Atkin for her presentation.