Person-centered support

'The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety, it's connection'. (Johann Hari)

It is helpful to think about how supporting someone with digital sits alongside harm reduction principles, and in particular, the internet can help people who use drugs to:

• Access their rights in all sorts of ways;

• Ensure that nobody is excluded from healthcare or social services because of their drug use;

• Collaborate meaningfully with people who use drugs and open up new conversations and understanding;

• Challenge stigma, and also allow us to meet people where they are at;

• Offer pathways to evidence-based information, including apps and websites which can help people safer.

Every person you support is unique, and the way in which you might need to help them with the internet will vary. This will depend on the nature of your relationship with that person or how your service delivers support. Digital inclusion can also help you implement the MAT standards.

Providing digital skills support should be informal and fun, rather than an IT skills lesson. Your goal is to keep people motivated and understand the value they get from being online. The Framework gives lots of ideas for ‘quick wins’ to enthuse someone who has never really had the opportunity to use the internet, and explores outcomes.

Keep momentum going with regular interactions. How you interact, and how often, will depend on how you normally provide support. This could be weekly or a couple of times a week. Usually, 30 minutes is enough time to make some progress without overwhelming someone.

Engagement with support

Giving someone a new device and data can be a hugely positive experience, and many of the people we support feel excited and positive, and immediately eager to engage. The priority is helping them see all the things they can do with the device, so that they understand how important it can be to them, and that it adds real value to their lives.

Often it's social barriers that can prevent engagement, rather than digital barriers. This could be anything from childcare, transport costs or general motivation to attend.

Many organisations now provide other incentives to encourage people to attend for support. This could be a hot meal, social activities or access to other benefits.

"Including a free community lunch as part of our computer drop-in has been key to building relationships and then being able to support people digitally. We have seen how people feel more comfortable connecting with the digital support on offer within the relaxed environment of a meal."