While digital communication kept many people with learning disabilities connected during the pandemic, access to the appropriate technology and knowledge of how to use it risked isolating others.
For many people with learning difficulties, keeping in touch with family and friends was difficult as they lacked the technology needed to keep in touch with them or the knowledge of how to use it. They were also vulnerable to online crimes, which rose during the pandemic.
Innovate Trust sought to address such difficulties by developing
an app called Insight. Free to download Insight gives
individuals with learning disabilities a safe space to get in touch with each
other, sharing experiences and photographs with their online communities,
family members, and friends.
Our 1,616 members could access more than 80 live activities and events each week along with pre-recorded sessions, regular news updates and in-person opportunities via the app. The activities ranged from Welsh lessons to music therapy to online cooking classes, enabling members to make new friends and feel supported during a difficult time.
Innovate Trust worked with other organisations and freelance artists to develop more than 3,000 activities and events to share via the app. ensuring people kept fit and active while at home.
“The people we support have broadened their social networks, made new friends and relationships, joining a like minded and supportive community during the most difficult of times.”
As a result of the Insight app, Innovate Trust won an award at the end of 2021 from Healthy Working Wales for the Best Covid-19 Company Response – supporting the community. Healthy Working Wales is part of Public Health Wales.
Acknowledgements: This is an edited version of an article from, ‘How Employers in Wales Responded to the Covid-19 Pandemic.’ Published by: Healthy Working Wales, Public Health Wales, June 2022.
