DIGITAL CONNECTION FOR SOCIALLY ISOLATED PEOPLE IN D&G

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South Scotland MSP, Emma Harper asked the Scottish Government how it is working, in light of COVID-19, to tackle loneliness and isolation across Scotland.

At the Social Security for Older People virtual portfolio questions session (Thursday 4 June) Ms Harper questioned Minister for Equalities, Christina McKelvie, on what steps were being taken to tackle what can be a serious problem, particularly in rural areas such as Dumfries & Galloway.

Minister Christina McKelvie confirmed that low income ‘digitally excluded’ people in Dumfries & Galloway, including older people, will benefit from the Connecting Scotland programme being rolled out across the country to assist those at home and who may be experiencing social isolation and loneliness.

Minister Christina McKelvie said;

“The Connecting Scotland project will offer those on low incomes who are digitally excluded, including older people, access to services via internet and connect them to others. This is part of the Scottish Government’s social isolation strategy where we are working with stakeholders to offer a range of additional support to mitigate the current impact (of COVID-19) through organisations such as befriending networks and Age Scotland.

“We have provided an additional £3.8 million for NHS mental health and wellbeing services as well as an additional £700,000 for Age Scotland.

Ms Harper also questioned how the Scottish Government is supporting people in rural communities such as Dumfries & Galloway to support their learning of the new digital technology.

The Minster confirmed that Connecting Scotland, delivered by The Scottish Government working in partnership Dumfries & Galloway Council as well as third sector organisations, would provide those eligible with a digital device with a mobile internet data package that would be delivered to their homes.

The Minister also confirmed that a digital champion would be assigned to each person, providing phone and online support for an initial six months.

Training and support will be coordinated by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and delivered by local authorities and Third sector organisations and a review will follow the first six months to identify what further support may be required.

Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative, supported by Health Care Improvement Scotland, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and digital IT sectors Scotland led by IS and also supported by third sector organisations. It has been set up in response to the Coronavirus pandemic to provide support to people who are home and who are digitally excluded.

For more information on the Connecting Scotland project visit connecting.scot/about <connecting.scot/about>