Tackling inequalities and the digital divide – Opportunity to distribute IT equipment and support recipients

Opportunity to distribute IT equipment and support recipients, as part of the drive to tackle inequalities, specifically the digital divide.

Black Country and West Birmingham CCG Integrated Care System (ICS) partners, through the Digital Inequalities group, are developing a programme whereby IT equipment i.e., mobile phone handsets, tablets, GeoChromebooks are donated to recipients across the Black Country. The programme also has access to a small amount of data that can be donated. Donating equipment alone will not be helpful to everyone and some people will need additional support to improve their basic IT skills to be able to make the best use of the equipment they have.

Distribution sessions will be arranged in a number of locations within the Black Country (Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton). During these sessions, recipients will collect their equipment, complete a short survey to assess their basic levels of digital competency and sign a Terms and Conditions document. Recipients will initially loan the equipment for 3 months; at which time they will be invited to complete a further survey and a decision made as to whether they keep the equipment.

The CCG is looking for a ‘host’ organisation that can work with local voluntary sector organisations/groups to provide support to different cohorts of patients, including different faith groups, people living with disability, mental health, of all ages.

The host organisation is expected to liaise with smaller voluntary sector groups to provide the support required.

This service will run for 12 months from the commencement date. Please see full details of the opportunity here: Support Service Requirements

Please respond with Expressions of Interest, providing a plan of how you engage with local voluntary organisations to deliver the service across each of the places within the Black Country and West Birmingham CCG footprint. Please submit your Expression of Interest by COP Friday 11th March 2022 to andrea.smith21@nhs.net