Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government initiative managed by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. Find out more
Saving lives, digitally.
We’re several months into Connecting Scotland now, and it’s been brilliant to hear about the emerging impact of the work we’re doing together. As frontline staff attend Digital Champion sessions, they are starting to share the incredible stuff that’s starting to happen. These stories help us understand the difference that a device, connectivity and skills support make to people- how it can be life-changing, and even life-saving.
Health practitioners, for example, have highlighted the urgent need in communities for digital equality. Being online means that people can access accurate health information through spaces such as NHS Inform and the NHS Apps Library. It also means that people can access practical, physical support remotely to manage health conditions, such as the anxiety and breathlessness. We were lucky enough to have a member of staff from the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership explain the value of remote pulmonary support, and she demonstrated the incredible My Life, My Lungs site. This site, alongside CHSS and a range of incredibly helpful videos, can help people manage potentially life-limiting conditions.
Another member of staff who works in a community setting often supports victims of domestic abuse. At our Zoom training, she explained that one woman, who was in psychologically abusive relationship, recently received a device. She kept the device hidden, in case it was taken from her, but used it in secret to communicate with organisations (such as Scottish Womens Aid) who would ultimately help her leave the relationship to a place of safety. It’s also helpful for digital champions to be aware of the potential for digital abuse in domestic abuse settings. SafeLives have produced a really helpful resource on digital and online safety as part of their Tech vs Abuse report.
As we have been working in this space for a long time, we’ve also heard on many, many occasions how tiny, everyday tools such as WhatsApp, with their ability to offer connection to friends, families, a listening ear, can provide solace and comfort on the very darkest of days, and especially during the outbreak of Covid19. We have heard, time and again, how this contact, this conversation, message or video call, can be the difference between life and death. Breathing Space, Samaritans and Shout all provide urgent help for people in need. Clear Your Head also offers information on staying well, and managing our feelings during difficult times.
During almost every session, we have someone explain how digital connectivity can and does save lives: it might be as a pathway to sobriety, an escape from domestic abuse, a tool for emergency response, a doctor’s consultation or mental health support.
Digital is an essential part of everyday life for so many but we mustn’t forget that for some it is still out of reach. By sharing our own everyday skills, with just wee things like using a search engine, or getting started with WhatsApp, we can make a difference that we might never know about, but which has the potential to save lives. Really.
Shona Munro and Irene Warner-Mackintosh from Mhor Collective.