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Supporting people to use everyday technology during the pandemic

The pandemic has brought many challenges for the social care sector, but there has also been innovations and achievements. We look at how providers supported people to use everyday technology to stay connected.

At the beginning of the pandemic many organisations that relied on supporting and engaging people face-to-face suddenly needed to do this in a virtual way, as well as supporting people to do more of their everyday things using technology - such as paying bills, making GP appointments, claiming benefits, applying for jobs, or requesting housing repairs. This has continued throughout the last two years.

The lowering of COVID-19 restrictions such as mask wearing, social distancing, and self-isolation for the general population can actually mean that those who are at much higher risk of infection, serious consequences and death from COVID-19 need to be even more careful about limiting their exposure. So, while many people are celebrating more freedom, some people with a learning disability, people with Down’s syndrome and other people with ongoing health conditions are actually facing a more anxious time and might need or choose to limit their contact with other people.

Luckily organisations are still doing all they can to support people to do what they need to do virtually. These are a few examples of the great ways social care organisations and user-led groups have wholeheartedly embraced virtual technology to help people stay connected, stay well and support each other through the pandemic and moving forward.

KeyRing

KeyRing provides a variety of social care services, including providing support to people with a learning disability, autism or both, within their communities and within their homes. During the pandemic they accessed the Good Things Foundation and Creating Connections funds to provide people with the technology they needed to keep on providing support to each other during the pandemic.

The funding allowed KeyRing to provide people with free devices, SIM cards and equipment and software. It also enabled the team to spend more one-to-one time with people who draw on support to support them in learning new skills, as well as providing a space in the community where people could get together and share their skills and learn new ones.

As a result of this work, KeyRing has noticed an increase in independence and mental and physical wellbeing among the people they support. Positive outcomes have includes increased social interaction through online groups and activities, increased independence through the use of digital voice assistants such as Alexa to manage reminders, and more use of technology for everyday activities like keeping in touch with family and friends, booking doctor’s appointments, and doing online shopping.

Your Voice Counts

Your Voice Counts (YVC) provides help via advocacy, training, and support services to vulnerable people in the North East of England. They accessed the Coronavirus Community Support Fund which they used to supply smartphones to people with a learning disability, autistic people, and people with mental health conditions. They then worked with each person to help them use the phones in a way that would be meaningful for them and not place them at any unnecessary risks. People reported reduced feelings of isolation, learning new skills, and having access to modern forms of entertainment as being amongst the benefits of this work.

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Ace Anglia

Ace Anglia is a user-led advocacy organisation, working with people with a learning disability across Suffolk. They hosted regular webinars with local GPs and learning disability nurses to help people understand COVID-19. They also produced a resource designed to support people with a learning disability to get online and connect with friends and family. An important element of this resource was to draw together lots of examples and advice for people making and participating in video calls, and how to get the most out of them. Their work allowed people to pursue opportunities that would otherwise be hard to access and attend health appointments such as workshops and conferences.

United Response

United Response is a charity that provides support to people with a learning disability, autistic people, and people with mental health needs, at home and in the community. Within weeks of the pandemic, they had made all their usual daytime activities available online using platforms such as Facebook and Zoom. The activities made available online during the first lockdown ranged from their keep fit sessions, discussion groups, arts and crafts, and much more. The rapid shift to making these sessions available online meant that people could continue to keep busy and stay connected.

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The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is an organisation that exists to help to make things better for people with a learning disability. They pulled together examples of websites that can help with physical but also with mental health during the pandemic. They also provided information about how people can better engage with society, such as being involved in voting and campaigning. Alongside this, webinars were available so that people could log on and discuss with their friends what information and resources are available to them. The support they provided meant people remained connected to society and to one another.

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