Digitally connecting communities

At the core of the Smartline project are the participants and communities within Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth; without whom the project wouldn’t be possible. As part of our commitment to support participants to more effectively engage with their community the project team are distributing tablet computers to all participants.

A series of events have been organised, starting in April at Heartlands, where participants were able to collect a tablet computer, receive IT training and get information on helpful applications. IT training was supplied by Switch Community Ltd, a community based training organisation based in Camborne, officials from Cornwall Council were on hand to register users for Borrow Box and Age UK were explaining the services they offer, one of which is the iTea and Biscuit sessions.

Mrs Kent, a Smartline participant who collected her tablet and received training said  “I know how to do my online shopping with Tesco now, and I can now read books on my tablet using Borrowbox. This will make a big difference to me”

The tablet computers will not only allow participants to video chat with friends and family or access social media but also enables academics from the University of Exeter to engage with them. Monthly surveys will be sent electronically to the tablets to ask households about their health and well-being. In addition there will opportunities for participants to take part in mini-projects with the University of Exeter or local businesses.