Find the 'hook'

One of the most common reasons given by people using drugs for not using the internet is that they have never had the chance to. This tells us that motivation, and understanding what they can do online, can be a huge challenge. They might never have had a device of their own, or didn’t have any data to learn, or they feel too far left behind to try. In your holistic support, you can help them find the confidence to use the device, by finding something meaningful to that person that will encourage them to try, and to explore. This can open up a whole new part of your relational approach, and spark new conversations and connections.

What is important for the people you work with? What will ‘hook’ them to get online? This will vary from person to person and as someone providing support, the most important thing you can do is listen to what they are telling you.

When you understand a person’s interests and needs you will be able to find the ‘hook’. It could be supporting their hobbies, managing their finances, accessing key services or connecting with friends. It will be easier to engage someone and maintain that engagement longer-term.

The hook should be something fun, and a quick win to show the possibilities of being online. Here are some examples we’ve seen people use:

• WhatsApp to reach out to loved ones who may not be around

• Using TikTok as a fun, engaging distraction

• Using email to be part of a care plan and copied in to care

• Watching the same TV shows that everyone else is watching

• Using YouTube to learn new things or to be inspired by others

• Mindfulness apps

• Using Google to find information

• Listening to music together

It is also helpful to think about how people might transfer these skills. If they learn with you, in a safe and supportive environment, with joy, and excitement, that person can then transfer those skills to get information they need, about problems you might not even know they have.

"We had one person who really struggled with social anxiety and found it really overwhelming going out at all. We showed him how to use his phone to access music, and YouTube. Now he listens to music when he leaves the flat - it helps distract him from all the other things going on and he says it makes him feel just like everyone else, that it calms his nerves. He's also learned other things, just by us looking at YouTube together. He's teaching himself how to cook with those cook-along videos. It's unbelievable the change in him, really"