Tablets Against Loneliness
Tablets Against Loneliness is a national awareness and support campaign that utilises donated, bought, begged and borrowed tablets to help reduce feelings of loneliness.
This campaign was devised at the start of COVID-19 pandemic following a post in the British Medical Journal titled ‘Using Skype and Video Calling apps during Pandemic Isolation’.
The Digital Legacy Association (DLC) developed a framework and methodology helping regional care settings to obtain old, donated tablets. Working with ‘Events for COVID’ we were also able to secure loaned tablets from businesses for to those experiencing loneliness (for free).
The DLC provided logistical and technical support to the general public, various professional groups and volunteers supporting communities during times of isolation, loneliness and lockdowns
More than 50 tablets were provided by the Black Country & West Birmingham CCG to people with dementia and/or suffer from loneliness in Sandwell’s and across the Black Country.
The following video highlights the impact of the Black Country & West Birmingham CCG’s Tablets Against Loneliness campaign.
Tablets Against Loneliness Framework
- Read: How Hospitals, Hospices & Care facilities can use Skype to reduce loneliness during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
- Discuss how your care home, hospice, charity or hospital could support patients and the community with communication technology during the pandemic
- Think about how you might ask your local community and businesses to donate tablets.
- Phone the Digital Legacy Association on 0203 286 6812. We will provide over the phone support and help troubleshoot any potential hurdles.
- Write and public press release (to view a example PR click here)
- Request loaned tablets from Events for COVID.
- Receive technical support and performance metrics during the campaign from the Digital Legacy Association.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented people at home, in care homes, hospices and hospitals from seeing their loved ones. Tablets Against Loneliness helped provide tablets to various care settings during this period. Activities to reduce loneliness such as video calling was then take place between residents, patients and their loved ones. Over the phone and virtual support was provided by Tablets Against Loneliness when called upon.
The DLC, Events for COVID and wider partners put a request out to businesses, organisations and members of community to donate their used / unused tablets. These devices were later used in peoples homes and in care settings across the country.
Once donated, the Digital Legacy Association helped ensure that extremely vulnerable groups were able to stay connected to people who are important to them. Tablets also enabled people with dementia to access a variety of activities and services virtually. This led to increased stimulation and reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation.
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