Category Archives: Carers

How the digital divide is being tackled

October 18, 2012   Carers, internet

Digital exclusion is a social care issue, whether it’s ordering prescriptions, applying for benefits or simply talking to others. So what is being done to help more people get online?

Jessica Fuhl
Guardian Professional, Wednesday 17 October 2012 09.30 BST

 

Carlton Gaskin at one of Age UK’s Itea and biscuits event, aimed at getting more older people using technology.

In 2008, 84-year-old Margaret Rickson had never used a computer before, but within three weeks of picking up a laptop she became the first patient to ask for a repeat prescription online. After enrolling for a computer course at her local library in Cheshire, Rickson has become an active campaigner in the local community, promoting the benefits of online services.

This week is Get online week. Organised by the Online Centres Foundation, which provides a national network of UK online centres, the aim is to get some of the approximately eight million people in the UK who have never used the internet online to “help make their lives bigger and better”. Margaret Rickson is just the type of person whom the Online Centres Foundation would champion as an ambassador for the advantages of accessing digital services.

The benefits of getting online are even greater than ever. In April a new universal credit will be introduced replacing many current benefits – and the government wants 80% of applications for universal credit to be online by 2017. Those not online can lose out financially, by not being able to access goods that can be found cheaper than in shops, and socially, without contact with others though email and social networking sites.

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Ministers to face MPs over energy tariff plan

October 18, 2012   Carers, fuel poverty

Ministers will be forced to explain to MPs a pledge by the prime minister to make gas and electricity suppliers to offer customers their lowest tariffs.

Gas rings on cooker

The statement, expected at 10:30BST, follows an urgent question by Labour, who have been critical of the policy.

David Cameron told MPs that legislation would be brought before Parliament, amid concern over rising energy bills.

But later the Department for Energy said it was looking “at all options” to help customers get the best tariff.

BBC industry correspondent John Moylan says that on the face of it Mr Cameron’s announcement on Wednesday amounts to a major change in energy policy – instead of consumers having to seek out the best deals, firms would have to give customers the lowest tariff.

But there is still little detail on how this would actually work, our correspondent says.

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Norman Lamb writes: Time to change

October 17, 2012   Carers, mental health

Time to Change and end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems 

Over the next few weeks’ telly-watching you may see adverts encouraging people to talk about mental health. For those of you that can’t wait, you can watch them online here. These adverts are part of the Time to Change campaign, England’s biggest ever attempt to end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems. This is a brilliant campaign. I remember speaking at its launch back in 2008. In the time since then, it has made a real difference.

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