In brief
Our main aim empowers individuals to connect with one another and use technology to benefit their lives, but organisations can turn this into a ‘Connecting Project’ that tackles wider needs.
As the course progresses, a communication HUB is chosen for the learners to be part of, this could be your own website or one we create. As part of the training users utilise this network and identify how it can further support their needs, for example paying for Council tax or identifying a new community group. We share this needs analysis with you and help identify support structures which can then be fed back into the HUB.
As a sustainable conclusion we hope to leave an organiser or learner in charge of updating the network, though we’re always happy to continue supporting your needs if it suits your objectives.
Our Methodology
With our Connecting Project we put people in charge of their needs by organising a local and regional network of contact and information access.
Adapted from the Hub and Spoke Model this network embraces learning as a motivator for engagement. This is particularly useful when needing to tackle a wider range of needs such as social mobility, community interaction, activities, healthy living, and support structures such as care/family/befriending.
With the adoption of local and regional partnerships we create links and access points to services with the eventual aim of having the network managed by a participant or organiser.
Through our training/personal interaction, which progressively adds to the network, we are able to increase capability and create sustainable connections. As we work with learners on a rotation basis the project naturally encourages learners to connect with others already participating.
The project is flexible and exists as a base model for creating a network that participants feel part of, but we understand your needs may differ and for larger networks we ‘re able to sustain a lengthier model where we continually push the width and breadth of the connection scope as well as supporting its evolution. For larger organisations this can be extremely beneficial as each scheme may have its own specialist service or support group.
Though our classic model tackles those with an evolving desire to connect we understand the potential importance than tablets can offer. Potential benefits are not simply the ability to use facebook, email, video calling etc but to re-establish connections on a physical level.
Carers in care homes are able to create better links with their residents, suffers of health issues such as dementia are able to reminisce and interact on a completely different level, a new outlet for interaction with younger people is established, and physical interaction of group learners increases community activity.
iPad’s, or Tablets are fantastic ways to realise digital inclusion and empower individuals to tackle inclusion and loneliness; networks thrive through supportive learning and people feel included, we believe our Connecting Project realises the potential of digital inclusion and improves avenues for wellbeing.
