Tablet helps Thomas to kickstart life in lockdown
AYOUNG borough resident living in supported accommodation has been one of hundreds to receive a new tablet device to help them find motivation and new life opportunities.
Charitable housing association Riverside is handing out hundreds of digital tablets worth £50,000 and supporting technical equipment as a lifeline to residents in its accommodation facilities across the country, helping them get online and keep in touch with family and friends during the Covid-19 crisis.
Thomas Nelson, 21, is one of those to benefit, and says the receipt of a tablet and Mi-fi unit - a portable wireless router that connects the user to the internet via a cellular network - has already had a significant lifechanging effect, enabling him to connect with the outside world whilst keeping safe from the pandemic.
A resident of Shepherd Court on Milnrow Road, Riverside’s supported accommodation facility for people aged 16 plus who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, Thomas said: “It’s brilliant and I never expected to be given the tablet. Since having it I’ve kick-started my life.
“I’ve enrolled and been accepted onto an Access course in Natural Sciences which I start in September. I’ll then be able to study a degree after that. My dream is to study Astronomy and work in that field, so having the tablet has enabled me to research it and assist me to achieving my goal.
“Like everyone during lockdown I couldn’t socialise with friends so I sat around moping about. Now I have a tablet it has been put to good use – I’m using it to as a learning
●●Thomas Nelson, 21, has used his new tablet to ‘kick-start’ his life and is set to head to college in September tool, to keep looking for jobs and educational courses to improve myself.
Thomas, who intermittently slept rough before coming to Shepherd Court, added: “It’s certainly changed my life for the better as before I was staying in bed and not getting up until late, but now I’m motivated and want to do something with my life. It’s helped me kick-start my life and get into a routine.”
Christine Houghton, service manager at Shepherd’s Court, says she has seen a positive transformation in Thomas since he received the tablet.
She explained: “Gifting the tablet to him has given him a real boost and focus in life, something to aim for. It’s definitely improved his self-esteem and wellbeing.
“It’s unbelievable the change it has had on him – it’s done him a world of good by making him feel more included and has had a significant impact. Hopefully it will continue to motivate him to better places.”
The digital tablets have either been gifted to people who need them or given to schemes which then loan the devices to residents. The project is funded by the Riverside Foundation, which is the housing association’s charity that helps people overcome obstacles for a better quality of life.
The association says residents of all ages will benefit from the initiative, including those in supported housing services for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, retirement living schemes, and supported accommodation for people who are homeless.
Andy Cave, Riverside’s project officer who is managing the roll-out of equipment to residents, said: “These digital tablets are a lifeline for many of our customers who are in challenging circumstances, so it will enable them to keep in contact with family and friends as well as being able to check their benefit claims, look after finances and do all the other things we take for granted.
“We worked with EE to get the best deal for the equipment and provide an appropriate data package for residents. It is a vital resource to those that haven’t been able to use the communal lounge due to the government’s social distancing measures and as a result haven’t been able to access the scheme’s Wi-Fi.
“We have listened to what our customers have been telling us during lockdown and we believe this gesture will really help those people in greatest need.
“It will benefit people of from 18 to 86 and from all kinds of backgrounds, but who have one thing in common in that they have been incredibly isolated, frustrated and lonely during these last two months.
“We hope residents will feel less socially isolated as they will be able to keep in touch with loved ones.”