Academics
at Northumbria University are leading a study which is investigating how
residents across North Tyneside access and use digital technology – and where
there are barriers to its take-up. The results will help to shape the
development of future services within the borough, from healthcare and housing
to education and digital infrastructure.
Northumbria
University, Newcastle University and North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG) are working together on behalf of local partners to gather
information on how people in North Tyneside access and use digital technology. Residents across North Tyneside are being
asked to share their experiences via a survey, which will help local partners
to understand why people are not using the internet or digital devices.
The survey is
being delivered to every home across North Tyneside in February asking
residents to answer questions about how and what technologies they use, how
they use them and the skills they need to use them.
Entirely
anonymous and confidential, the survey has been developed in partnership with
North Tyneside Council, Healthwatch, local community organisations, Citizens
Advice Bureau (CAB), VODA and the Community Healthcare Forum.
Dr Gemma
Wilson-Menzfeld, principal investigator of this research and Senior Lecturer
from Northumbria’s Department of Nursing, Midwifery and
Health, said: “The
North East has the second highest proportion of non-internet users
(12.1%) across the UK, however very little is known about the extent of digital poverty
in North Tyneside.
“Whether
connecting with others, accessing information and services or meeting the
changing demands of the workplace, digital access and digital skills are ever
more important.
“We want to
identify reasons for non-access to technology, to understand peoples’ physical
access, skills, and perceptions of technology. This data will enable us to work
with stakeholders to transform policies and services across North Tyneside and
to support digital access and skills development for residents.”
Professor
Lesley Young Murphy, Executive Director of Nursing and Chief Operating Officer,
North Tyneside said: “We live in a world full of cutting-edge technology that
helps people in their daily activities as well as supporting and delivering
health and care needs.
“It’s
important that we listen and understand local people’s experiences of accessing
the internet and use of technology, as well as understanding the barriers that
some people face. The results of this survey will be used to help inform local
plans and to address inequalities caused by digital exclusion.”
The research
team are encouraging as many North Tyneside residents as possible to take part
in this survey and say that understanding the experiences and views of people
in local communities will help to gain a better insight into how digital
technologies are accessed and used.
Paul Jones,
Director Healthwatch North Tyneside, said: "We have had feedback from
local people about some of the difficulties they have had using technology to
access a variety of services. There are also examples of where technology has
really helped make a difference, particularly during the pandemic. This is your
chance to have your say and help shape future services.”
The survey
can be completed by freepost, by telephone or online at https://northumbria.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/resident-survey.
If anyone
requires assistance in completing the survey, they can call the Community
Healthcare Forum on 0191 257 8000 extension 4280.
More
detailed information for participants is available on the study’s Participant Information Sheet.
