A Framework of digital skills to support learning (e.g. The 'Get Connected' Framework from Simon Community Scotland)
This section outlines the process you would follow through the different stages, from identifying a need for digital inclusion support to helping someone build their digital skills and confidence. Think of this as a handy checklist for covering the different steps you'll take to support someone make the most of being online.
Identify a need
In your day-to-day work with people at risk of harm from using drugs, you may encounter someone who doesn't have access to a suitable device, connectivity, or the skills and confidence to be online.
You can explore their motivations and barriers to getting online and find their 'hook' for digital.
Providing a device and/or connectivity
You may already have access to devices and connectivity to distribute to the people you work with. If you don't, we've included further information on different devices and connectivity options in the rest of this guide.
Complete a baseline survey
In Digital Lifelines we use a baseline survey to benchmark the start of someone's digital inclusion journey. This is helpful for measuring impact of your work, as well as understanding the starting point for the person you're supporting.
You may already have your own template for this, but you're welcome to use or adapt the form we use in Digital Lifelines.
Set up the device and connectivity
When you give the device and/or connectivity to the person you're working with it's best practice to help them get set up.
You should also help them set up their sim card and/or mi-fi device to ensure they can connect their device to the internet.
You may also wish to help them install some useful apps e.g. Get Connected, WhatsApp.
Person-centered support
Now that you've got the device and connectivity sorted, it's time to embed person-centered support. This is to help them build their digital skills and confidence to do the things that are important to them.
After providing support for a few months, we ask that you complete a review survey. You can use/adapt our template form to do this.
A review survey helps you show the progress made so that you can demonstrate impact of your support as well as motivation for the person you're supporting.
