Trust tenants receive digital devices to help ease loneliness

Trust Housing Association, which provides over 3,600 homes and a range of support services to people across Scotland, is rolling out the delivery of 90 iPads to tenants in 13 local authority areas, who are struggling with the effects of isolation.

The initiative is funded by the Scottish Government’s Connecting Scotland programme, and managed by SCVO, and is providing iPads, Chromebooks and support to develop digital skills for people who are digitally excluded and on low incomes.

Gail Gourlay, Director of Customer Services, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on the lives and mental health of our residents who are desperately missing social interaction with other residents and visits from friends and family. By helping them to use the iPad and Chromebooks, we can transform their daily lives, not only opening up opportunities to connect with family and friends but to provide entertainment, access to information, help with shopping and access to savings through price comparison sites.

"Trust already has a digital strategy in place with Wi-Fi in over 60 of our developments across Scotland, and with a network of digital champions encouraging learning amongst residents, we have been ideally placed to maximise the impact of digital technology.

"These iPads and Chromebooks will help make a truly, tangible difference. One of our tenants who is shielding due to having MS has felt particularly isolated during the pandemic due to lack of contact with her family. She is keen on digital learning and is absolutely thrilled to have been provided with a device, something she says she would not have been able to afford herself. We are delighted that our partnership with Connecting Scotland will be able to give her, and other tenants like her, a new window on the world and the real joy of meaningful connection.

"Social restrictions during the pandemic have demonstrated, very clearly, the vital need for digital communication for our tenants. We have seen a new willingness to embrace technology."

Trust Chief Exceutive Rhona McLeod said: “We are really delighted to see a new appetite for learning amongst our tenants and their families. Thanks to the support structures of the digital champions, we already had in place, this very quickly led to very positive outcomes as our tenants enjoy new connections and experiences.

"We are confident that this Connecting Scotland initiative will not only support tenants during the Covid-19 crisis but will have ongoing benefits for mental and physical wellbeing, long after the current restrictions are lifted."