A generous Glasgow business has become the latest member of the newly established Tech Device Network and has immediately made a different to care home residents in Scotland.

DVI Technologies, a communications and IT business based in Stepps, donated four new tablet devices through the online initiative, which aims to connect donors with spare devices to local care services who need them in order to support vulnerable and older individuals to remain connected to loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tech Device Network, established by Scottish Care and Jennifer Nimmo-Smith from Electric Shores, encourages individuals and organisations to indicate through the website (www.scottishcare.org/techdevicenetwork) what they are able to donate whilst also asking care services to register, providing details of what they would like to use donated devices for in their support of care home residents.   The Network then connects these different groups up to arrange safe collection or delivery of the devices.

It is through this mechanism that DVI Technologies were connected to Nazareth House, a 70-bed care home and registered charity in Cardonald, Glasgow which has been supporting older people since 1902. Nazareth House requested tablets to help residents communicate with their families, which was providing challenging on the small phone screens of staff due to visual impairments.

Safe delivery of the devices took place on Monday 14 April, which gave staff from Nazareth House the opportunity to thank DVI Technologies and share more about how the devices will make a difference to residents.

Stephen Murney, Director of DVI Technologies, said:

 “DVI has always been delighted to support the work of Scottish Care, but more so in these recent weeks as Covid-19 has impacted their members. As a company, we remain open for business to provide essential support to those working in the Critical National Infrastructure sectors, and to help in whatever ways we can.

He added:

 “I have a deep and personal respect for the work of carers, and Coronavirus presents a hugely challenging time for them. With loved ones unable to visit, they’re carrying out their incredible jobs and taking the place of family. It’s been our privilege to help with the Tech Device Network, and I would urge other businesses to help where possible.”

A representative from Nazareth House said,

“As you can imagine, due to the present lockdown our residents are not able to have their loved ones visit them. Trying to explain to some residents who are living with dementia that their loved ones are thinking of them every day can be very emotional, not only for our residents but also for our staff. We are offering reassurance to the resident who is asking or looking for their loved one, as we staff feel their pain, anxiety and sense of abandonment.

“Modern technology is often criticised by us in what would be normally classed as a fast world, but in this present time each and every one of us are united in helping others in one way or another through their pain. By connecting our residents to their loved ones via Face Time we will offer reassurance to them that they are always near. Though not feeling their immediate touch, our residents can touch them virtually and seeing them will I’m sure bring tears but these will be overcome with joy as when in this sad world at present it also allows us to stop, think and thank how kind people can be. With this, we thank DVI Technologies and the Tech Device Network from deep within our hearts for their very kind gifts.

“Love, laughter and hope is being brought to all of us today and may this continue to be shared to all.”

Becca Young from Scottish Care, one of the co-founders of the Network, added:

“We’re very grateful for the generous donation by many kind-hearted individuals and businesses across Scotland such as DVI Technologies and are delighted that we are able to get these devices out into care services.

“The Tech Device Network is a positive opportunity in a difficult time for people to make a difference to the wellbeing of vulnerable citizens, and we’re really pleased that it is growing by the day. In order for us to support more people, we’d like to encourage organisations who could donate devices in unused or good condition to the Network to get in touch with us, as we have many more services in the Network who are desperate to receive devices for their residents.

“We have also established a JustGiving page for anyone who would like to contribute to the Network in another way, with these funds going directly towards the purchase of devices for care services. It can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/techdevicenetwork”.

 

Ends

Full details of the Tech Device Network can be accessed at: www.scottishcare.org/techdevicenetwork

A JustGiving page has also been established for anyone who would like to contribute to the Network in another way, with these funds going directly towards the purchase of devices for care services. It can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/techdevicenetwork

For media or Network enquiries, please contact:

Becca Young, Scottish Care – [email protected] / 07584 659995

Last Updated on 23rd April 2020 by Becca