About Connecting Scotland
Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government programme set up in response to coronavirus.
It provides iPads, Chromebooks and support to develop digital skills for people who are digitally excluded and on low incomes.
Phase 1 (April – July 2020) focused on those who were at risk of isolation due to coronavirus because they were in the extremely high vulnerability group (‘shielding’) or the higher risk of severe illness group.
Phase 2 launched on 18th August and is focused on:
- households with children, or where a child is normally resident (this includes pregnant women with no child in the household)
- care leavers up to the age of twenty-six (in line with eligibility for aftercare support)
A second round of applications for Phase 2 opened on 24th November.
On 11th December, the programme expanded to also offer help to organisations working with older and/or disabled people.
On 16th November the Digital Inclusion – Connecting Residents in Scotland’s Care Homes initiative launched to provide iPads and internet connectivity in residential care settings.
How it works
Organisations and local councils get support from SCVO. This includes:
- kit – internet enabled devices
- connectivity – through mobile data
- training and support – for staff and volunteers to become ‘digital champions’ to support people to use the internet confidently and safely.
Get involved
If you are a public or voluntary organisation that already works with the target groups for Connecting Scotland, you can apply for devices to distribute.
Please read the full application guidance and frequently asked questions before applying. Full guidance on the programme can be found by visiting connecting.scot.
The closing date for applications was 18th January 2021.
