The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.
Evidence action can change lives
Across Scotland, we already know what works when it comes to tackling digital exclusion. When programmes are properly resourced, trusted local organisations are supported, and communities are given the right tools, digital inclusion transforms lives.
Two Scottish Government programmes funded through digital health and care — Digital Lifelines Scotland and the Digital Inclusion Programme — show what’s possible when leadership, investment, and collaboration come together.
Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS)
Launched in 2021, DLS was designed to support people at high risk of drug-related harm. By providing internet-enabled devices, connectivity, and hands-on support, the programme helped people access lifesaving information, stay connected, and engage with services that previously felt out of reach.
The results speak for themselves:
- Over 5,500 people with complex needs supported to get online and build digital skills.
- Better access to health, recovery, and social services through apps, remote consultations, and online peer support groups.
- Innovative safety tools introduced — including overdose detection technologies and real-time peer support platforms.
Participants reported feeling more connected, more confident and better supported. Organisations delivering the programme found that embedding digital access into their services made it easier to reach people at risk and save lives.
Digital Inclusion Programme (DIP)
Similarly, the Digital Inclusion Programme focused on people excluded from basic digital opportunities — often facing challenges linked to poverty, health, and housing. Through partnerships with local authorities, community organisations, and housing providers, DIP delivered:
- 3,600+ people supported with devices, connectivity, and digital skills training.
- Over 950 devices and 650 connectivity packages distributed to those who needed them most.
- Digital Champions embedded across care settings, housing services, and health partnerships to provide one-to-one, trusted support.
Participants reported feeling less isolated, better able to manage their finances, and more confident accessing essential services like healthcare and benefits.
The evaluation of the DIP also found potential cost savings: fewer missed appointments, reduced pressure on frontline services, and greater efficiency for both NHS and social care providers.
Why this matters
These programmes prove that digital inclusion isn’t just about technology. It’s about:
- Managing your health online — booking appointments, accessing prescriptions, and using NHS apps.
- Staying connected with friends, family, and support networks.
- Applying for jobs, claiming benefits, and managing finances.
- Gaining the confidence to participate fully in society.
Example quotes from the independent evaluations of the Digital Inclusion Programme
“People didn’t just become digitally included—they became included in life again.”
“I can now look after my own prescriptions, emails, and money online. I don’t need someone else to do that for me anymore.”
“We supported a woman who had not left her house for months. Being able to learn how to use an iPad and access a virtual peer group changed everything for her.”
Digital Lifelines and DIP worked because they were people-centred, locally delivered, and properly resourced. They demonstrate the power of targeted investment and show that when government, local organisations, and communities work together, the impact is transformational.
We know what works and there needs to be a commitment to sustaining, embedding and scaling this type of support.
The takeaway
Scotland already has the evidence and the experience to close the digital divide. What’s missing isn’t knowledge — it’s political will and leadership.
If we want to ensure no one is left behind, the lesson from these programmes is clear: invest in what works and act at scale.