Tea and Tech

To help reduce digital isolation, we’ve set up a series of Tea and Tech sessions for our customers.

Run by our Digital Inclusion Support Worker, Carol Smart, these events help customers learn some basic digital skills, create email accounts, access digital services and understand how to stay safe online.

Carol's comments on the sessions: “Tea and Tech is about getting people together for a drink and tech chat, in a relaxed atmosphere. Customers can drop in and bring their own devices, whilst we answer any questions they may have and offer advice and support. We’ve had great feedback so far and it’s brilliant to see our customers learning new things”.

In the last few months Carol has worked with over 40 customers from our care and support services and independent living for older people accommodation.

Most recently she has been working with a customer at Lombard Street. His current technology was old and broken and didn’t support what he needed it for. Patrick wanted to become more confident in accessing things online and has acquired these skills with the help from Carol.

Patrick comments: “Getting a new phone has helped me to keep in contact with family and friends better, it has made me more confident and sociable and be connected to the next person. Carol’s support has put me at ease. She explains things in a detailed steady pace, thank you very much".

To find out more about how our Digital Inclusion Support Worker can support you, or get more information about our Tea and Tech sessions, please contact us.

Hive Innovation

The original idea for the Digital Inclusion Support Worker role and Tea and Tech sessions emerged from NCHA’s Hive Innovation initiative. Their theme for 2022 was ‘digital inclusion’, and the involved colleagues explored options to support customers to access the internet.

It forms part of our social impact commitment, to deliver services that have a meaningful impact on our customers’ quality of life and wellbeing.

Read our Social Impact Strategy.