Part of Cambs Digi Fest!

Building Healthier Communities: A Conversation on the Role of Digital Inclusion

This event will explore recent research into the impact of digital inclusion and exclusion on physical and mental health in Cambridgeshire and recommendations for change.

Who is it for? Anyone interested in recent research that explores the impact of digital inclusion and exclusion on physical and mental health in Cambridgeshire.

What is it about? This live online event will see guest speakers share recent research into the health implications of being digitally excluded as well as the opportunities that digital inclusion can provide, in relation to social connections, reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing.

There will be the opportunity for questions from attendees, discussion and sharing of experience on this topic.

What will I learn?

This event will develop your understanding of current research into the impact of digital inclusion on physical and mental health, and recommendations for future service improvements in a health care and community setting.

Karen Igho, Project Manager at Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will share findings on the impact of digital inclusion on health and care services, published in their Annual Report & Accounts 2023-24, along with recommendations for future service improvements, to ensure a more inclusive and accessible healthcare environment for all.

Dr. Joyce F Coker from Cambridge Public Health at Cambridge University will share preliminary results from their digital asset study that spans East of England, North West London, West Midlands, North East and North Cumbria. Within this event Joyce will focus on outcomes from the East of England.

This study focuses on 3 digital domains (digital access, digital literacy, digital adoption in maintaining social connections and reducing loneliness and improving wellbeing).

The questionnaire they used for the study focused on the way community organisations use digital technology and the impact this has on wellbeing and loneliness of their members/service users.

Dr. Alison Tingle, Research Fellow at Hertfordshire University will discuss the third and final briefing from a research project exploring digital technologies in adult social care to support social wellbeing for community dwelling older adults (DiTSoW).

The research is led by the University of Hertfordshire, representing the East of England Applied Research Collaboration (ARC). The DiTSoW study aimed to explore digital technologies in the context of Adult Social Care, where there has been accelerated adoption and innovation, particularly during and since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study found older adults are more likely to use digital technologies they have bought privately, rather than those offered through adult social care. At the same time there are also many reasons why older adults are reluctant to engage with technology, such as: lack of understanding and accessible training; fear of technology; technologies not meeting their needs.

What to expect:

Mixture of presentation, pre-planned questions and discussion.

If you would like share a question you would like to put to the panel before the event, please email karen@cambridgecvs.org.uk.

About the speakers

Karen Igho, Project Manager at Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Karen has significant project management experience working in the environmental sector working for PECT. In her role at Healthwatch she has coordinated focus groups and led on our Community Researcher project about Digital Inclusion. Karen has also played a pivotal role in supporting and developing the work of local Patient Participation Groups and Integrated Neighbourhoods.

Dr. Joyce F Coker from Cambridge Public Health at Cambridge University

Dr Alison Tingle, Research Fellow at Hertfordshire University will discuss findings from a research project exploring digital technologies in adult social care to support social wellbeing for community dwelling older adults (DiTSoW).

The research is led by the University of Hertfordshire, representing the East of England Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) and sits within the National Priorities Programme for Adults Social Care and Social Work. The DiTSoW study aimed to explore digital technologies in the context of Adult Social Care, where there has been accelerated adoption and innovation, particularly during and since the COVID-19 pandemic.

This presentation will outline some findings in relation to how older adults are using digital technologies to support social wellbeing, and some of the reasons why older adults are reluctant to engage with technology, such as: lack of understanding and accessible training; fear of technology; technologies not meeting their needs. It will also introduce some recommendations for policy and practice that were developed through mixed stakeholder workshops related to digital inclusion and improved co-production.

How to book

We welcome anyone with an interest in digital inclusion.

Please note that we will only share resources to those that attend.

If you have any questions, please contact enquiries@cambridgecvs.org.uk

Building Healthier Communities: The Role of Digital Inclusion