In 2010 Ashmere gained a grant which has enabled us to purchase the very latest touch screen computers for five of our homes. The Get Connected investment project is a capital grant scheme which was available for the registered providers of adult social care in England. This scheme was meant to give access to our residents, carers, visitors and staff to information and communications technology (ICT). So everyone can use the power of the Internet to communicate, learn and train.
This scheme was funded by the Department of Health who recognise that ICT and the Internet in particular, are transforming the way we communicate, learn and work.
ICT can be used in a number of ways;
- enable people who use our services to keep in touch with their communities. Whether it's getting an email from their grandson or using skype to speak face to face with a relative in Australia, ICT can give our residents a whole new way to keep in touch.
- improve the skills and knowledge of the staff. E-learning packages for NVQ's are becoming increasingly common. Staff can work through seminars and submit answers online. Increasing our staffs knowledge of computers will benefit them for the future.
- keep our team up-to-date with the latest developments in policy and practice e.g. Department of Health website, CQC and Dementia Gateway. Information is being updated all the time and our teams need to be able to access the latest news and most relevant information.
All of these outcomes can in turn lead to an improvement in the quality of care provided and the experience of our residents.
The very latest technology is available to residents in the form of the HP Touch Smart 600, pictured. This screen uses touch screen technology making them more user friendly. Residents will be able to access information and entertainment using gestures such as press and drag directly on the screen in a much more natural way.
Each week computer club is available for our residents to come and learn some new skills. Jim and Sue are our computer tutors, they run classes for residents and staff to come and learn some computing skills. Residents can simply be entertained by looking up pictures of where they used to live on google maps, or reminisce over pictures from history. The more confident and adventurous can learn how to use the computers themselves to online shop and email friends and family.
It can be so rewarding to learn new skills and to feel more in touch with family. The computers have also benefited the local community with the 1st Duffield Brownies coming to complete their computing badge at Codnor Park.
The Brownies, who normally meet in a Scout hut, would not have been able to complete their computer badge all together without using the Ashmere facilities.
All 24 Brownies made it through several exercises to complete the badge so well done to them!
