Presentation on the Lasa Connecting Care project for Dave Briggs and the Department of Health, Digital Champions Network on March 17th 2015

1. Helping social care organisations and
residents with digital technologies
March 2015
Miles Maier – Project Manager – @lasaict
Paul Webster – Community Builder – @watfordgap
About
Connecting Care

2. About Lasa
30 years of trusted advice
Knowledgebase, Suppliers Directory,
Connecting Care, advicelocal
www.lasa.org.uk/
Welfare Rights
www.rightsnet.org.uk

3. Funded by Department of Health - Voluntary Sector -
Innovation, Excellence & Strategic Development fund
Follow on from Get Connected which provided
hardware … but small NFP care providers need
more support
For Care Organisations,
For Staff & For Residents
Work with existing networks and NCVO,
NCF, Skills For Care etc. & signpost to
local projects
Background to Connecting Care

4. About You
Do you work in community health
& social care?
Do you meet small, voluntary sector care
providers?
Do they grumble “about the computers”!
Do they have questions about basic ICT or future
Digital Technology & Devices?
Connecting Care
has the answers

5. VCS Organisations – Concerns ?
Where to start
Knowledge / Skills
Confidence / Fear
Capacity / Resources
Broadband Access
Cost
Equipment not suitable
Websites that aren't accessible
Scepticism / Put off by jargon

6. Connecting Care - Activities
Help social care providers make better use
of technology through health-checks
Provide links to resources for staff
Show and tell sessions to demonstrate new
technology for residents
and users

7. Connecting Care - Website
Many articles on using tech in social care, e.g.
- There is an app for that!
- Staying safe online
- Argos training with tablets
- On-line networks for carers
- Sources of skills and learning for social care orgs
- How to plan best use of ICT resources
And much more!
www.connectingcare.org.uk

8. The Scary
Parts…

9. >The Scary Parts
 Large organisation not backing up any data – client details,
staff records …
 Training provider 'networking' files by sharing a USB stick
between computers in an office
 A reception PC shared by two organisations with no security
between each others files
 No budget for strategic IT replacement or even for
unexpected technology purchases
 Paper based care records, searches through filing cabinets,
manual duplication of effort
 Importance of ICT not recognised by Trustees
 Website that didn't work on Tablet PC / Smartphone
 Poor service by ICT Suppliers
 No ICT Support plan in place
 Emails printed for CEO with no PC ….

10. The Scary Parts

11. Technology in Caring
- Support the carer in their
caring role
- Give remote access to e-
learning
- Retain social integration
through on-line networks
- Networks to facilitate care
co-ordination
Empower both person being cared for & carer
- Help carers where time is the
barrier to keeping connected

12. Technology for older people ...
Being Independent but not Isolated. Can help
provide 'safe independence'.
“Using the Internet should be fun, not a chore” Age
UK - 'ITea and Biscuits'
It's about sharing conversations with people near
and far – Intergenerational
Activities Co-ordinators in a Care Home role as a
Digital Champion
86% of over 55s -
Internet has
improved their
lives (Digital
Unite)

13. The
Good
Parts...

14. >The Good Parts
 Dedicated volunteer for an organisation's IT
 Activities Co-ordinator using Skype for residents
and Youtube videos on a large screen
 Buildings equipped with Wireless Internet
 Tablet PCs offer activities and training ... but also
fun to see house on Streetview or Plan route!
 On-line learning that offers cost & time savings
 IT Training suites & eager learners
 Facebook to tell good news stories

15. The Good
Parts

16. Good use of
technology in
Social Care.
Articles &
Resources
For
- Organisations
- Staff
- Users
www.connectingcare.org.uk

17. Websites & Volunteer Services

18. Any Questions?
Free lasa publications:
ICT Bulletin - bi-weekly
newsletter
Sign-up -
http://storify.com/lasaict
We can all be a Digital Champion, Digital Friend or
Social Media Surgeon for an older person or
Organisation in our community

19. Thank You
Miles Maier – Project Manager
mmaier@lasa.org.uk 020 7426 4496
Paul Webster – Community Builder & Technology Consultant
pwebster@lasa.org.uk 020 7426 4498
Start small … what
one thing could you
try out today?