Partner profile: Belle Isle Senior Action

Belle Isle Senior Action (BISA) is a Neighbourhood Network organisation based in South Leeds, supporting older people living in the Belle Isle area. They provide a range of services and activities aimed at older adults, including luncheon clubs, exercise classes, and social sessions. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic Belle Isle Senior Action found many members were becoming more socially isolated, and this was negatively affecting their mental health. Many members didn’t have a digital device and had never been online before. Through conversations with members they identified a need for members to develop their digital skills and confidence so they could stay in touch with each other and engage in virtual events and other social programming. 

Support from 100% Digital Leeds

In 2020 Belle Isle Senior Action partnered with 100% Digital Leeds to better understand the digital inclusion needs of their members and the potential digital inclusion support that could be put into place to meet those needs. Together we explored ways the organisation could build upon existing assets to provide inclusive and person-centred digital support inclusion support for their members in a way that was as sustainable as possible. 

“Working in partnership with 100% Digital Leeds and the Older People’s Digital Inclusion Network has been fantastic. It’s hard to imagine us as an organisation without this digital inclusion support now, as it’s such an integral part of our offer.” 

Sonny Garewal, CEO, Belle Isle Senior Action

Belle Isle Senior Action joined the Older Peoples Digital Inclusion Network to connect with other organisations delivering digital inclusion. This helped them to build their capacity for supporting the digital inclusion of their members and saw them develop a core digital inclusion offer embedded within their service. 

Working with local partners

Whilst Belle Isle Senior Action identified a real need and demand for digital inclusion support across their membership, they also identified organisational capacity as a barrier to them developing and delivering their digital inclusion offer. They overcame this barrier by building upon the organisation’s existing partnerships, to the mutual benefit of all partners involved.

Partnering with Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation to increase capacity to deliver

Belle Isle Senior Action built upon their existing partnership with Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO), an organisation supporting social housing tenants of all ages in Belle Isle, to explore ways they could work together to improve digital inclusion for the Belle Isle community as a whole. Together they secured external funding which allowed for the recruitment of a digital inclusion worker to work across both organisations, increasing their joint capacity to develop a digital inclusion offer that meets the needs of the whole community, as well as to deliver digital skills support sessions across both sites.

Partnering with Middleton Elderly Aid to improve access to equipment

Many of Belle Isle Elderly Action’s members were identified as not having access to devices or connectivity. BISA partnered with Middleton Elderly Aid, an organisation supporting older people in a neighbouring area of the city, to identify and secure funding to purchase tablets, smartphones, and data which they could lend and gift to members without devices. They completed a single funding application and split the devices received across the two organisations. They pooled their knowledge and capacity to set up the devices for loan and implement a tablet lending scheme. They also acquired sims via Vodaphone’s Charities Connected scheme to gift to those struggling to pay for data. This expanded their offer and enabled so many older people within south Leeds to have access to a digital device and connectivity. 

Developing the digital inclusion offer

The newly recruited digital inclusion worker worked across both organisations to develop and deliver a digital inclusion support offer that met the needs of members of both organisations. By speaking to members they found out not all members were confident to attend skills sessions, so they developed a blended approach with a variety of digital inclusion support, to ensure the offer was accessible and inclusive for all. 

Group digital skills sessions

The digital inclusion worker developed a full weekly programme of digital skills sessions delivered across both sites. These sessions were themed around relevant topics such as help with using a device, exploring apps linked to hobbies and interests, and using digital to keep in touch with family and friends. 

“I really enjoy coming to the group sessions because it gets me out of the house for a while. I like to learn about the different things I can do on my tablet, such as looking at local bus stop times. I also enjoy using Learn My Way to learn more and more!”

Belle Isle Senior Action member

Embedding digital inclusion across the service

Though well attended, the group skills sessions only reached members already motivated to develop their digital skills and confidence, and motivation was identified as a barrier for many BISA members. The organisation expanded their digital support to be embedded into their lunch clubs, social sessions, and other activities happening across the building. This enabled members to develop their skills and confidence without attending a specific digital skills support session, giving them the opportunity to be introduced to the technology in an informal way. The digital inclusion worker started introducing tablets into the existing sessions and members were intrigued, they enjoyed learning more about the different things they could do online. Once motivated to develop their digital skills further, members were signposted to the group skills sessions.

“I like coming to the lunch club, I never thought I’d use a tablet and learn something new at my age! I have been telling everyone how good it is. I really enjoy the snooker app, I used to be so good at snooker, but I can’t play anymore – but I can play on the app now!”

Belle Isle Senior Action member

Supporting people at home

Offering digital inclusion support at the BISA centre meant the service wasn’t accessible to BISA’s less mobile members who struggle to get to community venues to access face-to-face support. As a result BISA explored ways to expand their offer and include digital inclusion support as part of their existing in-home support service. This included activities such as gardening, cleaning, and shopping, as well as befriending to increase social connections. The digital inclusion worker dedicated one day a week to delivering digital support at people’s homes as part of this service.

“Having Lisa visit me and help me use my phone has been a lifeline. I’ve ordered my prescriptions on the app, I play games which I enjoy, and I can video call my family.”

Belle Isle Senior Action member

Becoming a Digital Health Hub

Belle Isle Senior Action joined the Beeston and Middleton Digital Health Hub Network, a place-based approach to digital inclusion for improved health participation in partnership with 100% Digital Leeds and the Beeston and Middleton Local Care Partnership (LCP).

As a Digital Health Hub they have embedded digital health support into their skills sessions and at home support, theming content around issues like making and managing health service appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions, using systems like eConsult, and accessing information to support health and wellbeing.  They have partnered with Your Backyard and Active Leeds to allow members to access exercise classes over Zoom, a service which has helped to increased social connections as well as members’ physical fitness. Local GP Practices and health services can signpost local residents to these services.

Next steps

The funding for the digital inclusion worker developing and delivering digital inclusion support across BISA and BITMO comes to an end in April 2023. They are currently working with 100% Digital Leeds to explore funding opportunities to ensure their digital inclusion programme can continue as it’s making such an incredible impact in the community. 

“We are so grateful for the funding we have received. We have supported so many older people with digital, increasing their digital skills and confidence, and lots have taken their first steps online with our support. We are working hard to secure funding to ensure this essential work can continue.”

Sonny Garewal, CEO, Belle Isle Senior Action

Creative skills workshops with LEEDS 2023

100% Digital Leeds is excited to be working with LEEDS 2023 on a series of free digital skills workshops making creative software more accessible to Leeds communities. The workshops will support attendees to use a piece of free creative software to a beginner level. Learners will leave each workshop understanding the basics, enabling them to feel equipped to further explore the software’s functionality after the workshop and learners will be signposted to other free resources to continue their learning in their own time. This series sees the repeat of the four most popular workshops delivered as part of last year’s test and learn series.

“I have broken the fear of trying a new software so thank you. I am left with plenty of materials to practise on at home and cannot wait for the next workshop.”

Feedback from a previous workshop attendee.

There are four types of workshops in the series: sound editing, film editing, image editing, and live streaming. Each of these workshops will be repeated five times at different venues across the city: Moor Allerton Library, Hamara, Garforth Community Hub and Library, Horsforth Community Hub, and Morley Salvation Army.

Each of these community venues will host all four of the workshops in the series. Tickets are free and open to everyone aged 18 years and older. The workshop series is not a course: sessions should be booked on an individual basis and there is no expectation for learners to attend all four. Attendees will be expected to bring their own laptop to workshops.

“I was nervous that the session would be full of people that work in creative technology but such an interesting mix of people, professions, ages, and reasons for attending.”

Feedback from a previous workshop attendee.

Sound editing with Audacity

The software

Audacity is a free but incredibly powerful audio editing software that enables you to record your own music, podcasts and loads of other content.

The workshop content

Led by BBC Radio Leeds producer Dan Purvis, the workshop will talk you through all the basics of the software, from opening a project and adding sounds, to simple editing, adding effects and exporting your work to then be uploaded and shared to any platform you want. The workshops will cover all the basics to enable you to feel equipped to explore Audacity further after the workshops. Dan will also signpost to other free resources to continue learning the software in your own time.

The workshop dates, locations, and booking links

Please note, each of these workshops is an introduction to Audacity. The same content will be repeated at each workshop.

Image editing with GoDaddy Studio

The software

GoDaddy Studio is a free image editing platform which enables you to edit images for anything from presentations to social media.

The workshop content

Led by artist and marketing genius Lydia Cottrell, the workshop will talk you through all the basics of the software, from opening a project and adding images, to simple editing, adding effects and exporting your work to then be uploaded and shared to any platform you want. The workshops will cover all the basics to enable you to feel equipped to explore GoDaddy Studio further after the workshops. Lydia will also signpost to other free resources to continue learning the software in your own time.

The workshop dates, locations, and booking links

Please note, each of these workshops is an introduction to GoDaddy Studio. The same content will be repeated at each workshop.

Creative livestreaming with OBS

The software

OBS is a free livestreaming software for Mac and Windows that enables you to build unique creative streams. It allows you to do anything from making lower thirds and scroll bars for live news broadcasts, to having on-screen pop-ups during gigs to show the band name and song title. OBS allows live broadcasts to several popular streaming services including YouTube, Facebook Live, Twitch, Twitter, and Mixer with the built-in ability to stream to your own custom server as well.

The workshop content

Led by Ora Ataguba and Balie Ali from Sable Radio, the workshop will provide a step-by-step guide on how to use OBS, from opening a project, adding different scenes and streaming to the platform of your choice.

The workshop dates, locations, and booking links

Please note, each of these workshops is an introduction to OBS. The same content will be repeated at each workshop.

Video editing with DaVinci Resolve

The software

DaVinci Resolve is a free video editing platform that enable you to edit video footage for anything from presentations to social media, YouTube videos and even films.

The workshop content

Led by Lee Robinson, the workshop will talk you through all the basics of the software, from opening a project and adding video clips, to simple editing, adding effects and exporting your work to then be uploaded and shared to any platform you want. Lee will also signpost to other free resources to continue learning the software in your own time. The workshops will cover all the basics to enable you to feel equipped to explore DaVinci Resolve further after the workshops.

The workshop dates, locations, and booking links

Please note, each of these workshops is an introduction to DaVinci Resolve. The same content will be repeated at each workshop.

Success of the 100% Digital Leeds model for a community-based approach to digital inclusion

December saw the launch of the 100% Digital Leeds model for a community-based approach to digital inclusion, funded by the Local Government Association. The model takes other councils through the Stages and Steps required to apply the 100% Digital Leeds approach in their locality, helping them to develop and implement their own digital inclusion interventions.

Since the model was published it has seen 233 page views and 89 downloads. The model is also featured in The Leeds lessons on digital inclusion, an article by UK Authority celebrating the national recognition of the 100% Digital Leeds programme. UK Authority explores and showcases best practice and innovation in the use of technology, digital and data for the delivery of modern public services that meet both the needs of the public sector and the citizens they serve.

“Overall, it is showing what can be achieved with an approach that is both city-wide and involves working with a wide range of partners and communities.”

UK Authority

The model for a community-based approach to digital inclusion is available to download on the Digital Inclusion Toolkit.

Key community partners to host place-based Digital Inclusion Officer roles in NHS funded initiative

The Old Fire Station in Gipton is the first community organisation in the city to host a member of staff whose role is to support the development, delivery, and coordination of digital inclusion across the local area.

Though hosted by The Old Fire Station, the new Digital Inclusion Officer will work with a range of partners across the York Road Local Care Partnership (LCP) area. They will take a place-based approach to improving and increasing the digital inclusion support available to meet the needs of local communities. The Digital Inclusion Officer will be matrix-managed by 100% Digital Leeds and we expect to see the addition of more place-based roles linked to LCP areas in the near future.

“The Old Fire Station are excited to be hosting the new role of Digital Inclusion Officer in the York Road LCP area. With this new role we hope to support the community to become more digitally included by providing activities and information to increase knowledge and skills.”

Fran Etherington, Development Manager, The Old Fire Station

Supporting digital inclusion for health participation locally

The post supports the continued development of the York Road LCP Digital Health Hubs, a network of community partners supporting the digital inclusion needs of local communities to improve digital health participation and reduce health inequalities.

The Digital Health Hub network is part of the implementation of the 100% Digital Leeds community-based approach to digital inclusion for improved health participation, delivered in partnership with Local Care Partnerships. There are currently 27 Digital Health Hubs in Leeds, across York Road and Beeston and Middleton LCP areas.

The city-wide roll out of place-based Digital Health Hub networks

The approach is being rolled-out across the city with a staged implementation plan. The first wave is currently in development with the support of NHS Health Inequalities funding. This will see the launch of a further four Digital Health Hub networks linked to LCPs, plus an additional two Digital Health Hubs supporting a particular Community of Interest.

“Local Care Partnerships aim to bring organisations together and pool resources to be able to support communities better together. The new role at The Old Fire Station is a really exciting development, a way of making sure that all of the Digital Health Hubs in the LCP get the support they need for local people.”

Kim Adams, Programme Director, Local Care Partnerships Development Programme

Be Online Stay Safe

Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) and 100% Digital Leeds have been awarded DCMS funding to deliver a partnership project addressing and improving media literacy for older people from diverse communities.  The project will tackle challenges set out in the DCMS Online Media Literacy Strategy and the tools and resources produced will be shared nationally in partnership with Ofcom.

This community-based media literacy project will build upon the understanding, experiences, and existing trusted relationships of four key partners working in the 10% most deprived areas of the city. The partners were chosen because of their recognised holistic, person-centred approach to meeting the needs of their communities.

The project delivery partners are:

  • Health for All
  • Feel Good Factor
  • Hamara
  • Leeds Irish Health and Homes
  • Touchstone

The project will overcome the digital inclusion barriers older people in diverse communities face to accessing media literacy, enabling them to positively interact online:

  • building digital confidence and skills.
  • supporting online safety and reducing fear.
  • developing an understanding of what is available online across different media.

We will be working with the National Media Literacy Taskforce and national mentors to deliver and evaluate the project, alongside the three other DCMS funded projects across the country. 

Project objectives

LOPF, 100% Digital Leeds, and the Be Online Stay Safe (BOSS) delivery partners will focus on achieving the following objectives:

  • supporting older people to develop an understanding of how the online environment operates.
  • building older people’s resilience to online disinformation and misinformation.
  • supporting older people to develop an understanding of the risks and benefits of engaging with others online
  • supporting older people to increase their digital skills and confidence in using and navigating the online world.

There will be a focus on working with older people who currently aren’t online because of their lack of confidence, to inform them and support them to overcome these barriers. An additional focus will be on supporting older people who currently use digital and are online but may not be aware of how to stay safe, may be more vulnerable to online scams, or are at risk of accessing incorrect information.

The voice of older people at the heart of the project

LOPF conducted an initial consultation with partners to develop BOSS. This highlighted a need for people to develop their digital skills in their native language and learn how to use their devices in different languages. Speaking to those lacking in digital confidence identified fear of online scams, unfamiliarity with the digital world and online media, embarrassment in asking for help, low literacy levels, and undiagnosed learning needs.

There is an identified need for a diverse, informal learning offer and a range of tools and resources to enable older people to feel safe and confident online. Skills such as recognising if a website is safe, understanding why companies collect personal data, buying online safely, and understanding how to manage their own presence online were seen as key.

A steering group made up of organisations and older people will be formed to support the sharing of best practice, overcoming challenges, and increasing collaborative working.

The project will be coproduced with older people and take a test-learn-develop ethos. We will identify the best interventions, resources, and approach to take when supporting older people to develop their media literacy skills, enabling them to feel confident, and stay safe online. 

Older people will be able to share insights about their experiences, feedback on the approaches and feed into the development of the resources relevant for other service users.

Building community capacity to deliver digital inclusion for improved media literacy

LOPF has employed a Digital Inclusion Coordinator who will work closely with the 100% Digital Leeds team to align the project with the 100% Digital Leeds approach, working to ensure everyone in Leeds has equal opportunity to use digital tools, technology, and services in the right way for them.

The Digital Inclusion Coordinator will build community capacity and upskill the workforce of partner organisations to increase media literacy across the diverse communities of older people they support. They will work closely with all partner organisations to co-produce interventions that meet the needs of communities, break down barriers, and increase digital access, skills, confidence, and motivation.

The DCMS funding will also address connectivity barriers by increasing the amount of digital equipment available via partners, enabling older people to have greater access to devices and the internet. Partners will join the National Databank allowing them to gift free data to their communities, and supporting the development of device lending and gifting schemes.

Peer-support

The project will develop peer-support models to enable people with lived experience to share their learning and support others, bridging gaps where language and literacy are the main barriers. Developing bi-lingual resources will further increase accessibility to digital learning and development. Digital skills sessions will be delivered in a variety of ways to meet the individual needs of the communities: one-to-one, group sessions, online and hybrid, and in learners’ homes. 

Project evaluation

The project will have a robust evaluation and be internally and externally evaluated using a theory of change model. A variety of evaluation tools will be used such as case studies, session attendance figures, skills assessments and focus groups.  Two learning reports will be produced at mid and end points of the project.

Learning resources will be developed and disseminated via the Older People’s Digital Inclusion network, LOPF, 100% Digital Leeds website and social media.

Next steps

The Digital Inclusion Coordinator is in post at LOPF. The next steering group meeting will take place in February to bring all delivery partners together to map out the timeline for the project for the rest of the year and identify support needed, gaps in resource, and how best the funding can be used to have maximum impact for communities. 

For more information contact ali@opforum.org.uk or Rachel.benn@leeds.gov.uk

Be Online Stay Safe (BOSS) project update – 100% Digital Leeds (digitalinclusionleeds.com)

Transport Connections: supporting older people to use transport apps

Leeds Older People’s Forum has been awarded a grant through the Department for Transport’s ‘Tackling loneliness with transport’ fund to lead Transport Connections, a project focussing on improving older people’s access and experiences with transport across the city. 

100% Digital Leeds has partnered with Leeds Older People’s Forum and our Leeds Older People’s Digital Inclusion Network to deliver a key project as part of this fund which is focused on supporting older people to use taxi and bus apps. 

The project has six key delivery partners that are supporting older people to use digital to help them to navigate around the city, increasing their independence and improving their access to services. The partners are:

  • Holbeck Together
  • Morley Digital
  • Leeds Irish Health and Homes
  • Your Backyard
  • Age UK Leeds
  • Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours

Aims and objectives

This pilot project is working to trial new and innovative ways of increasing access to transport services in the city and increasing opportunities for older people to engage with these services in the right way for them.  The project will take a holistic approach building upon older people’s individual motivations and delivery partners are gathering insights into which tools are most appropriate for older people, ensuring they meet their individual needs.

Ideal outcomes we’re working to achieve:

  • older people are aware of which transport apps are available and accessible to use in the city.
  • older people are supported to use transport apps to increase independence and social connections, reduce isolation, and be more confident to interact with the full range of services available across Leeds.
  • older people develop their digital skills and confidence, and have greater access to devices and connectivity
  • staff and volunteers across organisations feel skilled and confident in supporting older people in using transport apps.

“I’m really keen to find out more about these apps. I sometimes stand outside in the rain and don’t know how long my taxi will be and if it’s stuck in traffic.”

Steering group member and older person

Hearing the voices of older people

Older people’s voices will be central to the development of this project. A steering group made up of delivery partners, transport services and older people has been formed to help delivery partners gain a greater understanding of the barriers older people face in using these digital tools and services. 

The delivery partners are scoping which transport apps are currently available and accessible for older people in Leeds, such as Uber, Amber Cars, Bus Tracker, First Bus app.  The organisations are then going to be working with 100% Digital Leeds and the Older People’s Digital Inclusion Network to produce a toolkit with ‘how to’ guides and crib sheets to help older people develop their skills and confidence in using these apps. 

The delivery partners will be meeting monthly to share best practice, challenges, and resources, working to build the toolkit that will benefit both staff and older people. 

“I use the bus tracker app now to know when my bus is on its way and I also use it on the bus so I know when and where to get off. When it’s dark or raining I struggle to see out of the window when my stop is but I watch it on the app and then press the button at the right stop. It’s really reduced my anxiety around using buses.”

Steering group member and older person.

Digital inclusion sits at the heart of the project

The project will work to identify and overcome further digital inclusion barriers faced by older people. Funding will support partner organisations to improve and increase opportunities for older people to access the connectivity and devices they need to make best use of transport apps. 

Delivery partners are working with 100% Digital Leeds to gain a greater understanding of the digital inclusion barriers older people face and are looking at which devices are most accessible to support older people to use transport apps.

In the initial conversations with older people there were many that expressed their concerns over inputting their bank details into the apps and that they wanted to feel more confident in using them. The delivery partners are building support around online safety into the toolkit and resources, ensuring older people are fully aware of what information is held in the apps. They will also be supporting older people with the setup process to remove some of the initial barriers to using transport apps.   

Digital skills sessions will be delivered themed around specific apps, and these will be delivered in group settings, one-to-one sessions in the community, and home visits for those that need it.

“It was great to track my taxi. I used to wonder where it was but, on the app, I can see where it is, and I can see the colour of the taxi, the reg and the drivers name, which has really put me at ease.  I’ve had help to set it up and use it and now I feel good with it, all my locations are saved so I just click ‘Book’!”

Steering group member and older person.

Evaluation

This project will be evaluated with Leeds Older People’s Forum, collecting case studies of older people’s experiences. Organisations are monitoring how many people they are supporting and attending the sessions. 

The resources and toolkit produced through the project will be shared wider with partners across the city, and other partners are welcome to join the conversation and attend a steering group. 

For more information get in touch with Rachel.benn@leeds.gov.uk

Embedding digital inclusion within Student Nurse Programme

100% Digital Leeds has partnered with Hayley Ingleson (Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCH) and Leeds Primary Care Practice Learning Facilitator) to include a digital leadership strand within the new and innovative Leeds Primary Care Leadership Placement as part of the Queens Nursing Institute Community Innovation Programme 2022-2023. 

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the Student Leadership Placement is to expand sustainable high quality practice learning opportunities across primary care for pre-registration Adult Nursing learners. There is a focus on expanding knowledge and demonstrating leadership skills through three fundamental aspects of community healthcare throughout the 12 week placement:

  1. Public Health/health needs/health inequalities
  2. Preventative healthcare
  3. Digital health

In the first ‘structured learning week’ of the placement 100% Digital Leeds delivered an interactive training package to the four student nurses. The session provided them with:

  • greater insight and understanding of digital inclusion and exclusion
  • tools that they could use to explore barriers and challenges, such as motivational interviewing and coaching techniques
  • resources to support them to signpost service users who identify they would like help to become more digitally included to existing support.

“One conversation we had with a patient, the lady reported that she did not have access to the internet. Therefore, we informed her that the local library offers free wifi, and this would enable her to use her phone to access the GP Practice website and other tools to help her wellbeing and do things she enjoys.”

Student nurse

For the remaining 11 weeks of the placement the students led on three NHS Health Check Clinics per week in the general practice setting within the LS25/26 PCN and spent time each Tuesday in a community setting (either Garforth Net or MHA Communities Rothwell and District). Here they had the opportunity to build relationships with a diverse population group and enable them to have meaningful conversations about digital health. They took a person-centred approach and raised awareness of ways in which people could use digital tools to manage their health and wellbeing and engage with health services. They also had positive conversations about digital, promoted the benefits that digital tools could bring, and signposted to support. 

“As well as supporting patients to know about what apps and tools could help them with their health and wellbeing and how to use these, we have also been able to signpost patients to other organisations such as Age UK Leeds and Carers Leeds who run digital inclusion sessions for people who need further support with digital health and even things like online shopping.”

Student nurses

Impact

The students have embedded digital inclusion into their placements and used their new knowledge and skills to support people to order prescriptions online and to access health and wellbeing websites and apps including One You Leeds, Active Leeds, and Mindwell.

It has been a successful partnership with third sector organisations Garforth Net and MHA Communities Rothwell and District, and this has enabled the students’ conversations with people to happen in an informal, holistic way.  The students built trusted relationships with service users which helped them to have impactful digital inclusion conversations. They really understood the digital inclusion barriers people faced and helped them to overcome those.

“We found starting with an informal conversation with the patient naturally follows on with a conversation about what information patients can access through digital health. It also gives us the opportunity to see what devices people have. For example, we found that typically elderly patients do have smart phones, however they mainly use their phones for texting and taking photos. Having face to face appointments means we have been able to demonstrate and teach them how to use the apps relevant to them, making it accessible for all.  We’ve utilised the free wifi in the community locations and showed patients how to make the most of this.”

Student nurse

Many people they engaged with weren’t aware of the digital tools available to them to support their health and wellbeing and had a lack of confidence around digital. The students showed people the tools and increased their confidence and skills by demonstrating the benefits of digital. 

“When we first started our health check clinics in the community, we spoke to a patient about how they can see their health record. This patient wasn’t aware this was even possible, which prompted the question of how and on which platform they’d do this.  We informed them of the NHS app and Patient Access, and talked them through how they set this up. The patient was incredibly thankful and said it would really help them order their prescriptions on the app and make appointments in an easier way.  Since then, we encouraged this in all conversations we had, and with some we were able to direct them to online services and apps such as NHS smoke free and self-management apps that were personally relevant to them.” 

Student nurse

Legacy

The Leeds Primary Care Student Leadership Placement Pilot is due to finish on 27 January 2023 and will be fully evaluated and written up for the British Journal of Community Nursing. The students said they thoroughly enjoyed developing their own skills to deliver digital inclusion and will continue to promote digital health throughout their career, assisting those who need it, ensuring everyone who has the ability and wants to access it can. 

Following on from the success of this pilot programme plans are underway, working with Primary Care and LCH teams, to roll this programme out in further Primary Care Networks later this year.

“The programme of specialist support and expertise provided by 100% Digital Leeds throughout the development and implementation of the pilot has been incredible and we look forward to working with the team going forward.”

Hayley Ingleson, Practice Learning Facilitator

Thanks to Student nurses, Hayley, Erin, Megan, Weronika and Sophie.

Partner profile: Turning Lives Around

Turning Lives Around (TLA) is a charitable organisation that works to prevent homelessness and empower people to believe that they can change their lives and live independently. Over the last three years the organisation has worked with 100% Digital Leeds to embed digital inclusion across their service by:

  • providing staff with digital inclusion training
  • providing client-access wifi across the service
  • reconditioning old staff smartphones to be gifted to clients without devices
  • gifting free data, calls, and texts via the National Databank
  • addressing eSafety as part of standard needs assessments

As a result of these innovations TLA clients have easier access to services such as health, education, and benefits, the impact of which has been improved independence and wellbeing for clients, and more efficient use of staff time.

An overview of the organisation

TLA provides supported accommodation for people with multiple disadvantage such as homelessness, offending, mental health needs, and substance misuse. Provision includes self-contained flats, shared community accommodation and Intensive Support Environments (ISEs). As well as housing solutions, TLA offers support for training and employment, self-care, health and wellbeing, budgetary and financial advice, peer mentoring, volunteering and educational opportunities, and recovery support, including harm reduction and joint work with drug and alcohol agencies. TLA has around 150 staff.

Supporting digital access for vulnerable clients

TLA got in touch with 100% Digital Leeds for support on how they might provide wifi in their settings following feedback from clients that access to the online world would be beneficial. Within the organisation there was some concern around the risks wifi might pose to vulnerable clients and the low digital skills and confidence of staff added to this hesitancy.

“There were concerns people could be exploited online, would be able to buy drugs online, young people might be bullied online, people wouldn’t be able to keep themselves safe online. Because our role is very focussed on safeguarding and risk the question was, do we do this or do we not? Is it going to be helpful or is it not?”

Kerri Walker, Senior Housing Support Worker, Turning Lives Around.

TLA ran client consultation to gather perceptions of the potential pros and cons of having access to wifi. They heard from the young people’s provision, alcoholic women’s provision, and men’s provision, establishing why that client group would want wifi, what they would use it for, what the risks might be, and how those risks could be managed. Key Workers were encouraged to discuss similar issues with clients as a client-led service. Suggested benefits included accessing services, creating CVs and applying for jobs, and managing the Universal Credit move to online journals.

“It was a big step and it was a little bit scary but we thought, we’ll try something.”

Kerri Walker, Senior Housing Support Worker, Turning Lives Around.

Taking a test and learn approach

Before committing to finding the funding to install wifi TLA trialled providing connectivity to the young people at their Seacole Scheme by borrowing 6 4G iPads from the previous 100% Digital Leeds Tablet Lending Scheme. Guidelines to protect clients and look after the equipment were coproduced with clients and embedded within house rules. This included time limits on usage, usage limited to communal areas allowing staff to monitor, usage limited to certain times of day supporting clients to stick to healthy routines, and fair use policies to ensure the equipment was shared. The benefits to clients were seen straight away.

“It worked really well and we soon started to see really positive benefits. Staying in touch with friends and family, independently managing online journals and bidding on properties, taking pictures and doing artwork and all sorts. They looked after the equipment and followed the rules because they respected the staff and they respected the opportunity they were being given, and they respected the amount of trust we put in them.”

Kerri Walker, Senior Housing Support Worker, Turning Lives Around.

The learning and impact from the tablet learning pilot was used to secure £10,000 funding for to TLA buy iPads for use across the whole service. The iPads were given to Key Workers to use with clients, supporting clients to develop their digital skills and confidence and be more independent. Staff received digital inclusion training from 100% Digital Leeds and less confident staff members attended additional training on how to use the devices, how to support accessibility features, and installing useful apps. As a result clients were able to better support themselves and staff capacity was freed up for other things.

“Previously we were bringing clients into the office to use staff computers. We were doing a lot ‘for’ people and not ‘with’ people so they weren’t really learning anything. Now clients have the opportunity to develop their skills and do it themselves”.

Kerri Walker, Senior Housing Support Worker, Turning Lives Around.

A focus on safeguarding

Staff engaged clients with conversations about online safety and privacy, especially around social media, scams, and online exploitation. Existing support plans were adapted to put more focus on risks of online exploitation, alongside physical and sexual exploitation. Staff are made aware of popular scams that clients might be vulnerable to, such as Universal Credit scams on Snapchat, and are encouraged to discuss with clients during key work sessions. Clients who have experienced domestic violence are supported to understand how to manage their social media to avoid being found by their abuser. This is now a standard conversation that takes place with all clients and every client now has a robust online safety plan as part of their safeguarding plan.

“There were worries people would be able to buy drugs online, but we took the attitude of, they’re going to source them from somewhere. You can go out and shout and you’ve got a dealer at your door. But then you flip it around and, yes, they’re drug addicts, but now they can order their prescription online, so they can access methadone in 20 minutes. They can more easily access rehab. Instead of long phone assessments and multiple waiting lists clients can input their information online and the process is much quicker.”

Kerri Walker, Senior Housing Support Worker, Turning Lives Around.

Providing access to wifi across the service

The learning and impact of the expanded iPad trial gave TLA the evidence needed to secure external funding to install wifi across the service. The initial investment costs were secured as part of a larger funding application and costings for ongoing digital provision is now build in to core funding.

Wifi has been made available in all 24/7 residential provision. Clients have access in private rooms and communal spaces, including the gardens. Old staff smartphones are refurbished and gifted to clients that don’t have their own device, along with data from the National Databank. Staff signpost clients to equipment gifting or loan from education settings or via provision for children in care.

Having access to wifi has allowed people to stay in touch with family, access support from partner services, continue formal education, and use online tools to be more independent. Allowing clients access to the internet has positively impacted on staff capacity as people are supported to do things for themselves so staff don’t have to do it for them. Clients are also better able to use digital tools to manage their mood and mental health and TLA are seeing fewer incidents as a result.

“We’ve seen a massive decrease in antisocial behaviour and a huge increase in engagement. YouTube gives our clients access to the world. It’s made them so much more knowledgeable about the world. The internet has sparked such creativity and given people the space to follow their own interests. They’re learning based off their own back, not because someone has told them to. I would never take that wifi away, it’s a massively positive thing.”

Kerri Walker, Senior Housing Support Worker, Turning Lives Around

Accessible video CV guide

Our Autism and Learning Disabilities Digital Inclusion Coordinator, has been working with members of the Autism and Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network to look at ways that digital technologies can be used to make employment more accessible for people with learning disabilities. This accessible video CV guide is a collaboration between 100% Digital Leeds and Learning Disabilities team at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) .

Shaun Webster MBE, from Learning Disabilities team at LYPFT, explained that he secured his job in the team by submitting a video CV. This was much simpler for him than completing a written CV or application form. Shaun feels passionately that by accepting video CVs, employers can empower people with learning disabilities, and those who struggle to read and write, to apply for positions.

There are very few accessible guides online to making a video CV or an application form which could be used to support people with learning disabilities to create their own video CV so we wanted to co-produce a video guide which is simple and straightforward to use without a lot of expensive equipment or specialist knowledge.

The guide can be used with groups in sessions or on a one-to-one basis, if you are supporting a person with a learning disability to get into employment. It is also designed to be straightforward enough so that many people with learning disabilities will be able to use the guide independently.

Partner profile: Your Back Yard

Your Back Yard are a social enterprise organisation based in West Leeds that focus on supporting communities across the city to be able to live healthier, more active, and happier lives. They provide a range of sports and wellbeing activities aimed at older adults, including walking football, walking netball, and tai chi.

Through the pandemic they found many of their members couldn’t access the sessions and activities they offered and faced barriers to digital inclusion when they started hosting virtual sessions. They decided to build and develop a core digital inclusion offer within their service to enable older people to develop their digital skills and confidence and to support them to access the exercise and social sessions available online.

Partnerships

Your Back Yard partnered with 100% Digital Leeds in 2021, and looked at ways they could provide digital support in an inclusive and person-centred way for their members. They had limited capacity to deliver support sessions but had identified a real need and demand across their service users. Many didn’t have devices and had never been online before.

Your Backyard decided to partner with Leeds City College and Leeds University to build their capacity to deliver digital inclusion support within the West Leeds area. They recruited student volunteers to join the programme and they buddied up with older adults and provided one-to-one and group support. This enabled them to download and use Zoom, download apps that linked to their interests, and build their confidence in using their devices.
The students received digital inclusion awareness training delivered by 100% Digital Leeds, and took a holistic approach in tailoring sessions to ensure they met the needs of members.

This intergenerational approach worked really well, and they still continue to deliver sessions in this way working with the University and College students. The range of themed sessions they have delivered was based on what the members were interested in such as using bus apps, ordering prescriptions online, downloading BBC iPlayer and being able to email and video call family and friends.

Expanding their digital inclusion offer

Throughout the past year Your Back Yard have developed this partnership with the College and University and expanded their reach further across the city, working with other organisations who support older people to support them with their capacity and delivery.

“Joining the Older People’s Digital Inclusion Network has enabled us to develop several partnerships, and helped us identify ways we could work with other organisations to support their capacity gaps to deliver digital inclusion. We worked with 100% Digital Leeds to identify and apply for funding to look at expanding our offer across Leeds”

Your Back Yard applied and successfully received several funding bids, including a Digital Inclusion Fund Grant, Stay Well in Winter grant, Places for People, HAP bids and more. With this funding they have partnered with Burmantoffs Senior Action, Richmond Hill Elderly Action, Bramley Elderly Action, OWLS, Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours, Holt Park Active, MHA Communities South Leeds, and retirement homes to deliver digital skills support.

They wanted to really embed their digital inclusion offer into their existing offer of social, sport and exercise sessions, enabling more older people to have the opportunity to join virtually and be more digitally confident, but also find out about which face to face sessions they could join to support their health and wellbeing.

“In addition to offering digital support to residents we were also able to share with them information about the other activities we run such as our walking football. Marge, one of our now digital champions, has become a member of our walking football team who meet every Friday morning! We were also able to support people to access our Get Active and Online fitness classes which we offer live on Zoom. We are so happy we can merge our goals of both supporting digital inclusion and encouraging activity and fitness for older adults in our work!”

Your Back Yard have enabled older people who have been supported themselves with digital to go on to become ‘digital champions’ – helping others use WhatsApp and encouraging peer support. This has helped reduce fears people felt about going online and really empowered members to share their skills and experiences. In identifying that a significant number of people they were engaging with didn’t have devices or equipment they also utilised funding to purchase equipment to enable members to loan devices to support their learning journey.

“We wanted to deliver a wrap-around support offer where we could loan someone a tablet with 4G data and then be able to work with the students to deliver digital support with people to build their confidence and skills in using the devices. We have joined the National Databank to be able to gift data to people and accessed free 4G enabled sim cards via Vodafone Charities Connected to also support those without wifi at home”

Learning

Here’s a few important points Your Back Yard have learned over the past year, when delivering a digitally inclusive service for older adults:

  • Older adults have benefitted most from regular and consistent digital support (ideally weekly).
  • Digital inclusion needs city wide support, and working collaboratively in the network and with wider partners is vital, as well as having available funding for projects.
  • For older people to get the most out of being online we have found having an up-to-date smartphone has been beneficial for increasing social connections and being introduced to apps. This has been a huge barrier for people with low incomes. A huge thanks to 100% Digital Leeds and Hubbub UK we received iPhones which we have been able to gift to older people we work with, who have now managed to set up a WhatsApp group, keep in touch, provide peer-support, and develop their skills and confidence as well as now being able to have so many more opportunities.
  • It’s quicker and easy to do things for people but this doesn’t help older people in the long run or increase their confidence. It’s key to have patience and support people to be empowered to have a go themselves and be able to independently engage with digital.
  • Writing things down so older people can practice their digital skills at home is 100% worth it. It’s great to see how they have developed their skills in their own time and how empowered they feel after this.
  • Student volunteers have been vital. The intergenerational work we have done has had so many positive benefits and young people have shared their digital knowledge and developed great relationships with the older people they have supported.
  • The benefits of supporting older people to go online are huge, and very rewarding. When you hear they facetimed their grandchildren, logged on to our exercise classes, sent an email, joined a group chat, watched a video on YouTube or booked a doctor’s appointment for the first time in two years it makes all your efforts worth it. It’s brilliant!

Next steps

Your Back Yard now deliver five digital cafes across the city and are seeking further funding opportunities, working in partnership with 100% Digital Leeds and the Older People’s Digital Inclusion network to support organisations that need additional capacity and resource in delivering digital inclusion. Their current offer has digital skills support sessions in a variety of locations both one-to-one and group based, device lending schemes, and data gifting.

Their success in delivering digital sessions with Daisyfield Grange Retirement Home has now led them to look at further digital support they could offer across residential and care homes to support older people in developing their digital skills and confidence.

“We still have a long way to go to help sustainably reduce the digital divide in Leeds, but we will be tackling that challenge head on with the support of 100% Digital Leeds, the Older People’s Digital Inclusion Network and in developing our city-wide offer for older people. In the future months we are hoping to secure further funding for a digital inclusion worker who can lead and coordinate our digital inclusion projects and continue to support older people to become digital champions who can share their skills and knowledge with other older people”