This document provides information about a financial inclusion partnership support service established in 2014 to help residents of Inverclyde, Scotland prepare for the rollout of Universal Credit and develop digital and money management skills. The service offers one-on-one support sessions in clients' homes focusing on topics like email, online applications, budgeting, and social media. It aims to address issues of social isolation, low digital literacy, and lack of access to technology among residents. Next steps include expanding social programs and launching a tablet lending service.
2. Introduction
• Established in April 2014 following successful 2 year
funding application to Big Lottery Support &
Connect
• Support by Inverclyde’s Financial Inclusion
Partnership
• Initially introduced to prepare potential Universal
Credit claimants for changes
• Further 2 year funding programme by Inverclyde
Council and 4 Inverclyde based RSLs
3. Rationale
• Impending roll-out of Universal Credit to Inverclyde
• Only 25% of River Clyde Homes tenants affected by
welfare reform have access to home internet
• Inverclyde CLD survey of Port Glasgow –
• Over 37% requested ICT help
• 48% requested budgeting support
4. Service Delivery
• Open to all Inverclyde residents – regardless of
tenure, age or income status
• One-to-one interventions
• Clients own home or a venue of their choice
• Digital skills
• Money management/budgeting
• Moving customers on to group setting
5. Interventions
• Email address and support with using emails
• Saving and retrieving documents
• CV support and online applications
• Using the internet for shopping, best deals, banking
and hobbies
• Skype & FaceTime
• Social media
• Using mobile phones including texting, contacts etc
• Security and internet safety
• Household budgeting
• Obtaining a bank account
• Customer led support!
6. Issues Identified
• Social isolation and loneliness
• Low uptake for budgeting
• Unwarranted ‘techno-phobia’
• Lack of confidence to move to group support
• No IT equipment/internet access
7. Solutions
• Introduction of Tech-I Tea Parties for social housing
tenants in Inverclyde area
• More budgeting incorporated into the popular Lets
Get Cooking classes
• Promoting service as bespoke digital skills – based
on Go On UK Framework
8. Next Steps
• Develop & implement Digital Pen Pal scheme
• Develop & implement Digital Buddies scheme
• Increase Tech-I Tea Party provision
• Tablet lending service
