Transcript Evelyn McDowell - IT Skills for Tenants

Evelyn McDowall
Wheatley Group
18th September 2013
Connecting the Unconnected
The Wheatley Group
• Glasgow Housing Association formed in 2003
• 10 years of delivering housing services to 44,000
customers across Glasgow
• Partnership with Cube Housing Association in 2012
• Formation of Wheatley Group 2013
Background
• Only 37% of our customers use the internet
frequently, compared to Scottish average of 68%
and 60% in Glasgow
• Usage highest in 16-44 age group and lowest in
75+ age group
• Usage high amongst BME tenants (61%) and
black tenants (70%)
• Much lower usage in disadvantaged groups
Background
Barriers
• Fear of on-line world
• Lack of support and
awareness
• “It’s not for me”
• Low affordability – cost is
often about priority
• Literacy and numeracy
skills often low
Drivers
• UK and Scottish
Government promoting
the digital agenda
• Digital by default for
Universal Credit, Job
Seekers Allowance
• Scotland aims for 70%
usage by 2014
Our vision
• Affordable internet access in
every rented home
• Enhancing employability
through better digital skills
• Better lives through digital
participation
• Move services on-line to
create space for personal
support to our customers
Our digital strategy
• Participation
• Assisted Digital
• Connectivity
• Engagement
Our learning centres
• Supported by John
Wheatley College
• Suitable opening times
• Skilled trainers
• Basic to advanced skills
• Preparation for jobs
• Promotes wide range of
internet uses
• Certification
Our first pilot
• Connecting 12 families
• Trial of three alternative
solutions
• Training
• User guides
• Volunteer support
• Devices
• Sign posting to on-line
services
Demonstrating Digital pilot
• Joint initiative with
Scottish Government
and BT
• High rise solution for
138 families
• Wi-fi to the property
• Replicable across
portfolio and RSL
sector
• Measured outcomes
• Extension of
technology to support
other uses – telecare,
remote monitoring etc
Demonstrating Digital pilot
Demonstrating Digital pilot
Our next steps
• Work with Digital Glasgow
• Welfare Reform support
• End-to-end solutions
• Replicable across social
housing sector
• Digital skills for staff and
customers
• Training and apprenticeship
opportunities
Evelyn McDowall
Wheatley Group
Questions?