CEO thoughts: Digital literacy key tool in war on loneliness
The appointment of Tracey Couch earlier this year as the first minister for loneliness serves as the sharpest indication yet that social isolation across the UK is reaching epidemic proportions. Indeed, according to a December 2017 report from the Jo Cox Commission of Loneliness, more than nine million people across Britain self-identify as feeling often or always lonely.
Protracted periods of loneliness can not only seriously impact on emotional wellbeing; it also has a number of significant physical connotations. For example, a 2015 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal found that chronic loneliness may reduce a person’s ability to fight viral infections. The issue is exacerbated particularly among older people, who may not have any prior digital experience and could be living in sheltered housing away from friends or family.
We see many people who are on lower incomes as part of our work who report feeling isolated and out of the loop thanks to poor online skills. We’ve witnessed first-hand the effect that digital skills training delivered as part of a wider social support programme can have on reducing isolation and helping individuals feel more connected to a wider community.
Whether that’s using the internet to connect with friends via social media, or joining an online dating site, the social benefits that come with digital literacy should not be understated.
Appointing a minister for loneliness is a step in the right direction in tackling the UK’s social isolation crisis, and I’d like to see local authorities across the UK put digital skills training front and centre in their own war on loneliness.
News Archives
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As seen on Global Banking and Finance Review”.
(09.02.21)
By Matt Adam, chief executive of We Are Digital, outlines four key actions we can take this year to end the impact of financial exclusion. Financial exclusion – the inability to access finance, banking and income – typically affects … Read more
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The Shift to Remote Training: Challenges, Opportunities and the Future
(09.12.20)
Arjun Patel, Operational Delivery Manager When the Covid-19 lockdown came into force in March, as an organisation, We Are Digital didn’t want to sit back and do nothing. We primarily offered face-to-face training prior to this, but we quickly decided … Read more
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We Are Digital partnership with PA Housing
(08.12.20)
Community investment and digital skills training provider We Are Digital has secured a contract with PA Housing to provide in-home digital and financial inclusion training to a targeted group of residents. The training will prove key to relieving isolation and … Read more
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Cash in the time of Covid-19: A tale of financial exclusion
(24.11.20)
Financial exclusion rates are on the rise thanks to Covid-19. But what are the solutions to this significant finance problem in a post-pandemic world, asks Matthew Adam, chief executive, We Are Digital? Cash is fighting to survive Covid-19. Globally, from … Read more
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Money troubles: Financial exclusion and COVID-19
(18.11.20)
Global financial exclusion rates are on the rise thanks to the COVID-19 crisis. Matt Adam, Chief Executive, We Are Digital, outlines five ways we can solve the world’s money troubles as we head back into lockdown Reading the news, with … Read more
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As seen on Global Banking and Finance Review”.
09.02.21
By Matt Adam, chief executive of We Are Digital, outlines four key actions we can take this year to end the impact of financial exclusion. Financial exclusion – the inability to access finance, banking and income – typically affects … Read more
-
The Shift to Remote Training: Challenges, Opportunities and the Future
09.12.20
Arjun Patel, Operational Delivery Manager When the Covid-19 lockdown came into force in March, as an organisation, We Are Digital didn’t want to sit back and do nothing. We primarily offered face-to-face training prior to this, but we quickly decided … Read more
-
We Are Digital partnership with PA Housing
08.12.20
Community investment and digital skills training provider We Are Digital has secured a contract with PA Housing to provide in-home digital and financial inclusion training to a targeted group of residents. The training will prove key to relieving isolation and … Read more
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