This week, we’re joining many other housing association across the country, to celebrate Community Impact Week. This is a campaign organised by the National Housing Federation to celebrate the difference that we make to our customers and to the places in which they live.

We have support teams that can help our customers to gain employment and training opportunities, support them to gain confidence using the internet and provide money advice – which can help to transform people’s lives, as well as our local communities. Keep an eye on our social media channels this week, to find out more about how we’re improving the wellbeing of our customers, and read about how we helped Donald below.

Better connected with a bit of VIVID support!

Donald’s on his way to becoming an online whiz thanks to support from our Digital Inclusion Officer and Digital volunteers.

After taking out a contract with a broadband and telephone provider from a cold call, Donald was having ongoing issues. His internet was patchy, he frequently lost his landline and he was unable to connect his tablet to the wi-fi.

Luckily he was signposted to Dave, his local VIVID digital mentor volunteer, who supported Donald to connect to the library wi-fi and browse the internet to look for things of interest. However, when it came to practice at home he had difficulties with his service provider, which continued until Cleon (our Digital Inclusion Officer) stepped in.

Cleon visited Donald and helped him to connect his tablet to the wi-fi. She also helped him to switch to new provider that offered better services at a lower cost and showed him how he can check his rent and repairs on the VIVID website.

Donald said: “Dave’s great at helping me to develop my digital skills – he always starts at my level, explaining things clearly and at my pace and it’s really helping to build my confidence. Now Cleon’s helped me to get a better internet connection, I can practice my skills at home.

“In the future, I want to be able to use email and Skype, as most of my family and friends live far away - I have a nephew in China who I’d love to catch up with!  I also want to use the internet to find out information about things I hear on the radio – they’re always saying ‘visit our website’ or ‘go to www dot’.
“If you’re in the same situation as me – I’d really encourage you to take advantage of the support available from VIVID.  I’ve really struck up a rapport with Dave, and he is really helping me and I’m sure he’d help you too!”

We have we have volunteers who can help with digital skills in Andover, Aldershot and Farnborough libraries and in the Discovery Centres at Basingstoke and Winchester. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch.