With restrictions changing by the day, online access has never been so important. Thanks to funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery, Unity Works has been able to purchase 41 tablets to distribute to the people we support so that they can get online and take part in our programme of activities.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this equipment has changed people’s lives. Here’s Sara’s (not her real name) story:
When lockdown began, our contact with Sara disappeared overnight. When we phoned her to check she was OK, she explained that she had no reliable access to computers, and didn’t know how to use programmes like Zoom to keep in touch with friends and support staff.
We put her on our priority list to receive
a tablet, and thanks to funding from the Lottery, she’s now a proud tablet owner! We helped her with the set up and gave her several one-to-one sessions to make sure she was confident in using it successfully.
Since then, Sara has had more contact with her peers and support staff that in the last six months put together.
Over recent weeks, Sara’s taken part in our online programme of support (including employability, mental health and music/exercise sessions) and has also joined a remote consultation with a local disability advocacy organisation.
Now, should restrictions increase, Sara has the equipment and the understanding to keep in touch and keep making progress.
Thanks to the Government for making this possible.