Can your organisation help someone get better connected?

Orkney Islands Council is urging local organisations who work with unemployed people over the age of 16 to apply for digital devices and internet connections for those who meet the criteria, through the Scottish Government’s Connecting Scotland project.

Now in Phase 3, the Connecting Scotland project has just confirmed an additional 114 devices allocated to Orkney to help address digital exclusion, to remove barriers related to digital exclusion for unemployed young people and adults (aged 16+).

• Previous application rounds have targeted those at high clinical risk from coronavirus, families with children, young care leavers, older people and disabled people.
• Organisations can now apply for support for people that they work with who meet all the following criteria:
• They are digitally excluded – they currently do not have access to an appropriate device and/or internet connection at home.
• They are from a low income household – they cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access from their household income (e.g. claiming or eligible for Universal Credit).
• They are actively taking steps to improve their employment prospects. This includes people furthest from the labour market who are not job ready but are undertaking activity to address any barriers to employment or training (e.g. confidence building, improving health or wellbeing, ESOL programmes).
• They are currently unemployed

Priority will be given to organisations working with people who are likely to have been affected most by the changes to the labour market over the past year, either due to existing inequalities or redundancy. This includes:

• Women.
• Young people.
• Disabled people.
• Minority ethnic people.
• Lone parents.
• People experiencing other forms of socio-economic disadvantage.

Individuals cannot apply - applications must be made through an organisation, which commits to supporting individuals to use the device for the first six months.

OIC’s Community Learning and Development Manager, Kerry Spence, said the project, which was established by the Scottish Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, can help redress some of the inequalities being experienced by local people: “It’s really important with the increased reliance on online services that we continue to tackle the issue of digital exclusion:

“The Connecting Scotland project offers people both the independence they need with their own device and technical support they need to overcome any digital or skills barriers, and so we urge local support organisations to put forward applications for any individuals that are interested and would benefit from a device.

“We’d really love to see all the allocated devices available for Orkney go to people in need here rather than the devices be redistributed to other local Authority areas.”

Orkney has been allocated over 400 devices – iPads or Chromebooks – and a mobile internet connection over the course of the Connecting Scotland scheme to help them access services and support and connect with friends and family during the pandemic.

The OIC’s Community Learning and Development team led on the Connecting Scotland programme locally in its earlier stages last year, working in partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to allocate devices to different organisations across Orkney who were best able to identify those most at need, and coordinating training for ‘digital champions’ who assist people with their new devices.

Interested organisations can find out more at the Connecting Scotland website. The closing date for applications is Monday 27 September at 5pm.

Individuals who are not currently being supported by an organisation but feel they could be eligible can self-refer by emailing the Council's employability service or by phoning the Service on 01856873535 ext 2437.