Adapting our Business to life under lockdown

Tap into IT Where You Are is a small Edinburgh based charity with over 10 years experience of helping older people, including those with disabilities and health problems, access the internet and digital technology. We are adapting our services to accommodate the Government’s social distancing requirements. Read more ….

Executive Director Mike Ellis added, “I’m sure you’ll agree that access to the internet is a real ‘lifeline’ during this pandemic. Along with everyone else, we’ve shifted to ‘remote’ working. That has its’ challenges, of course – how do we help those who need it most, including those who don’t have a way to access the internet, let alone the “know how” to do so?”

Mike’s worry about access for older people has been temporarily alleviated by the “DeviceDotNow” Project and Good Things Foundation. They have supplied Tap into IT with 10 free android tablets, each with a 1 year’s mobile broadband connection.

Tap into IT has customised the devices based on their experience with older people who aren’t at all familiar or confident with the technology.  Mike has distributed these tablets to appreciative Viewpoint Housing tenants aged 70+ / isolated / vulnerable and with no means to get online.

The Tap into IT volunteers are currently helping the lucky recipients, via Skype “screen share”, to use their gadgets and access things of interest as well as providing them with someone to talk to (-this often leads to connecting with others).

One of the “DeviceDotNow” Project aims is to help people to understand how digital skills can improve their life. This has already been achieved by one of our recipients. She was really missing her trips to her local library. However, with help, she has managed to get an ebook from The City of Edinburgh Council online library. This is the first example of many great outcomes that will arise from this fabulous scheme.