Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. Find out more
Education
Gillian, who was supported by South Lanarkshire Council's Youth Family and Community Learning Service"My daughter can now do her homework easily without the hassle of downloading homework from a mobile phone which was a great difficulty."
Were you studying or home schooling during lockdown? It was tough, wasn't it! How would you have managed if you'd had no device or no internet at home? Connecting Scotland supported young people to attend school and college virtually during lockdown and continues to help them to access the internet as more of their educational material is now online. Helping people's education also extended to hobby learning and continuing skills development.
Billy, recipient of a device from St John Vianney Church in Edinburgh"Since having the ipad I've been able to access the Internet on a daily basis. This has allowed me to apply for an Open University course doing computing and another programming course."
recipient supported by The Libertie Project, Inverness“School plays a large part in our lives and without the ability to connect with the school my child would have been behind with schoolwork. This project has been a godsend for them.”
Pauline, student at Fife College“I’m really overjoyed... Learning is going to be so much easier. The world is my oyster!”
Meet three young people who explain the impact their devices made to them and their schoolwork.
Meet John, talking about a learner whose Chromebook has changed their life for the better.
Education isn’t just the formal stuff – digitally included people have the means to further their own hobbies too, like Katie's love of photography.
Hencil's story
Hencil received a device and internet connection from Enable Works in Glasgow. Hencil lives alone and was made redundant during covid. He was only able to apply for new jobs via his very old smart phone. Due to this he felt that he would be limited by the types of job he could apply for. Once he had the device Hencil was able to improve his IT skills, job search fully and was able to look at and apply for a college course to retrain for his dream job (sports therapy). Hencil is really excited to be able to use the device for his college course which started in August. It's been a great support and has increased his confidence in previously avoided technology such as teams and zoom.
"Having the device has meant that I have been able to re-think what I can do and with support I have been able to research college courses and apply and get into a college course I never thought I would be able to."
Hencil nervously opening the college letter
Hencil's delight at receiving an unconditional offer to study Sports Therapy
Sarah, Hencil's digital champion
Susan who received a device from Middlefield Community Project in Aberdeen, and whose children have found it invaluable for schoolwork.
Two learners who received devices from Resilience Learning Partnership in Clackmannanshire, at their first session on self-care, co-production and developing skills and confidence using solo and interactive digital resources.
A recipient of a device from Dumfries & Galloway Council LifeLong Learning Service.
Young people supported with devices via Dundee Rep Theatre.
A Digital Champion at Fife College on the way to deliver devices.
Quotes from organisations
Family Nurse Partnership Scotland"My clients are all delighted with their Chromebooks and straight away thinking about what having them and data will mean to them. Not having to do college work on their phone, not stressing about data charges, being able to stay connected with family across the world and locally, having Near Me FNP contact, job applications, online ESOL courses, accessing Peppa Pig songs, Near Me medical appointments, researching about pregnancy, thinking about college courses, local online PEEP Mum/ Baby groups. Generally I have noted a sense of relief and shoulders dropping…you can see the impact this project is having on the life course of our clients."
Lowri, Supporting Tenants in Social Housing, Skye and Lochalsh Housing“The best thing about digital inclusion has been the empowerment. One of my learners managed to use their device to book their driving theory test online. They were able to access videos for their theory test and assess their knowledge.”
Dumfries & Galloway Council LifeLong Learning Service"These devices will be essential to help many of our learners stay connected and continue their learning journey!"
Bridget, Family Opportunities Worker, Home Link Family Support"The college returner is excited about the course and will be able to access any online learning as well as submitting work. Thanks to this initiative we are empowering a single mum."