Reconnect

What is Reconnect?

Reconnect offers support to adults and families in Edinburgh and the Lothians to help them improve wellbeing by increasing digital and social inclusion.

We believe that digital inclusion and social inclusion are linked and together contribute to enhanced wellbeing. We provide a supportive environment to reduce social isolation through building digital skills and maintaining connections, helping people to stay connected, improve financial health, increase employability, access resources and more.

We also help adults recovering from addiction to become digitally included. Scotland has the highest drug-death rate in Europe. Increasing digital inclusion creates opportunities including finding recovery groups, discovering useful tools and apps, tracking housing applications, applying for Universal Credit, keeping in touch with family or rediscovering hobbies online.

How does it work?

We used a three-faceted approach to digital inclusion, providing support through digital groups, one-to-one, and through the Connecting Scotland digital support helpline. Through these interventions, we can help with:

- Using devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers
- Connecting to the internet
- Navigating the web and social media
- Completing everyday tasks online
- Connecting with the community, family and friends
- Accessing support networks
- Managing finances, paying bills and saving money online
- Reducing costs (energy providers, data plans, shopping, etc.)
- Finding opportunities for education and employment
- Feeling less isolated and having someone to talk to
- We are a UK Network Ambassador with Good Things Foundation, delivering training across the UK

Connecting Scotland helpline...

We operate Connecting Scotland's national helpline, providing over the phone support to use digital devices. This Scottish Government initiative is run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and was set up in response to coronavirus with the aim of helping every citizen in Scotland get online by providing individuals with devices and connectivity. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Need help with digital? Give us a call on: 0800 0590 690

Digital & Wellbeing...

We run digital groups with partner organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians, providing opportunities to learn about technology, feel supported, meet up with others, and feel more included in the community. Each session is designed from the experiences and input of our coordinators to make them easy, enjoyable, and open to anyone who needs help with digital, including families, young adults, those seeking employment or the elderly.

We're open to developing new groups in collaboration with community centres, other agencies, charities and anyone that is working with adults, to support their digital and wellbeing needs. If you are interested in this please get in touch.

Find your nearest digital group

Enter your postcode or browse the map at https://peopleknowhow.org/reconnect to find the digital group closest to you. Each group runs at a different time during the week. You can pop into any open group listed on this page.

Volunteer...

Got a spare couple of hours a week?

You could support adults and families to improve digital and wellbeing at our digital groups. From offering a friendly ear to supporting someone to use a digital device, you'll be making a difference in someone's life.

We'll provide training, support and opportunities for personal development.

See current opportunities at https://peopleknowhow.org/join-our-team.

Collaborate...

Work with us to end digital exclusion and data poverty

If you're an individual, organisation or community group interested in collaborating with us, we'd love to hear from you. Whether you want to chat about our Connectivity Now campaign or develop a new digital group in your space, please get in touch.

Contact us at https://peopleknowhow.org/contact-us.