The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted that people with learning disabilities, already at high risk of poor health and social isolation, face additional barriers to accessing help due to digital exclusion. In March, we quickly adapted our services to help people get online and access learning and social activities that promote better health and social connections. We now want to expand our digital services to offer more activities and enable more vulnerable people to benefit from our bespoke online support. 

As life has become more and more ‘digitalised’ during the pandemic, some of our clients and their families have been left behind. Being digitally excluded can increase feelings of isolation, loneliness and impact negatively on people's emotional and physical wellbeing. People with learning disabilities tell us about having no control over their lives and feeling like they are being left out. They want to feel connected to other people and take part in online community life. Our clients and their families say that the courses and activities we have been offering online have helped them to maintain a sense of familiarity during a confusing time that was leaving people feeling isolated. Access to bespoke support to learn how to get online safely and high quality learning and social activities enables them to become more confident and build emotional resilience.

But we know there's so much more to do and so many more people to reach.

• Access our services even when there are barriers to getting to our centres
• Improve their ICT skills, get access to up-to-date equipment and receive support to get online
• Feel more confident to use online platforms and resources and to do normal everyday activities like shopping & leisure online
• Better maintain their own social networks and so improving their wellbeing
• Have a voice - people will be able to confidently use digital technology to communicate their needs, aspirations & experiences
• Have access to opportunities through innovative ways to use new technology such as Zoom choir and shared film nights.

Funds raised will also help family carers to feel more confident about accessing online information, networks, resources and services to have better access to timely support and advice for their family member with a learning disability.

Our project is called ‘My Place Online’, as we all need to find our own place in a community that provides us with meaning and satisfaction. Our expert tutors and staff will offer courses, activities and bespoke support to enable people with learning disabilities to feel confident to take part in online community life, have improved health and wellbeing and feel less lonely.