Hilda Campbell, CEO, COPE Scotland
While developments in technology in many areas, including health and care, are developing at pace, there still remains a challenge for members of the public who are not digitally connected. I attended a really interesting Conversation Café of the Digital Citizen Panel and was struck by the distinction of being digitally included and digital choice. So often conversations can mix the two up, yet they are separate. First people need to be digitally included, then they can exercise choice about how they engage with the digital world and that, is another conversation.
Many years ago, and sadly even in the 21st Century, there were challenges for people unable to read and write and this meant they missed various opportunities. In a world which is becoming increasingly digital, if people do not have the skills and resources to be connected, again they may miss opportunities. However, it is not only missing opportunities, it’s not being able to navigate the digital landscape, sometimes even when you have digital skills!
Has anyone recently tried to do something online around accessing a service or information? Have you been able to speak to a person, or, had to interact with a variety of automated responses, which sometimes send you round in circles? E.g. wanting to be able to access Government Gateway to get a pension forecast? In addition to the many questions you are asked, it also asks for two forms of ID, fine if you have a passport, driving licence, credit history, but what if you only have one of these?
There is the new development in Scotland Scot Account, you can read more about that here. This may help address some of the challenges people face around public services and benefits, Scot Account aims to provide a secure and simple way for people to prove who they are and that they are eligible for a public service or benefit online.
However, people need to be digitally included to make the most of this opportunity. As part of weaving networks in MAKI (Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands) we wanted to understand the amazing work already happening, to weave between that and to offer some small resources to complement what was already there. One of these was a booklet offering ideas and links to support people to become digitally connected. This was co designed with members of the Citizens Panel and led by the issues people identified as needing addressed to enable them to be digitally connected.
The Jigsaw lid engagement toolkit is a resource I developed during work around primary care transformation which has been used many times since then as an engaging way to capture people’s views. The lid here shows the pieces people identified as helpful for them to navigate the world of digital health and wellbeing. A full size PDF of this Jigsaw Lid can be downloaded here and if you’re interested in the Jigsaw project, you can find more information here.
These pieces helped shape the booklet around Digital Connectivity for remote and island communities. What we have noticed is that people living in urban areas have also found it helpful. Working with partners at the Snowdrop Centre in Lochgilphead we were able to have some hard copies made to be shared for free, feel free to email me and if I can I will send you one. You are also free to take the existing booklet and amend it to include resources in your area, all we ask is you credit the original source.
On the 18th of February, we are co-hosting a session within the Q community to discuss the development of the booklet and to hear about one example from the Snowdrop Centre of how this resource is being used. You are welcome to attend even if you are not a member of Q and can sign up here. If you are interesting in joining Q this link offers more information. Q is a large friendly community of people across the UK and Ireland working towards improving health and social care. I am actually a member as many years ago VHS invited me to apply to become one of the founding cohorts. It has been a great space to connect and learn. I convene a couple of groups in that space around network weaving and staff wellbeing, feel free to email me if you would like to know more. Membership of Q is free.
The many issues facing people are vast, however, if we are not to widen the inequality gap even further, then ways to help people get connected matter. There is already so much amazing work happening and new things emerge on a regular basis, so in addition to the booklet we created this section on our website. We add to it regularly so please, if you see something missing let us know and we will include it in our next update.
Thanks for reading. Remember, we all have it in us to be champions for digital connectivity. Sometimes it’s as simple as helping someone see that there are opportunities to learn, acquire equipment, make mistakes! And lets face it, while machines may be developing, we are still human……… and thank goodness for that.
Hilda
