Help Create a Tech and Peer Support Hub

For my birthday this year, I am raising money to support the creation of a new Tech and Peer Support Hub at One Place East (OPE).

Many of you know of my work for OPE, a charity I love to bits. They are run by and for Deaf and Disabled People which includes those with lived experience of mentall ill health.

As a direct consequence of the pandemic, they have moved into new smaller premises and lost their shop front presence.

We want the move to be positive for the 650 Disabled People they directly support every year; creating space for peer support groups, training, creative activities and technology. They are also striving to support more people who are Deaf, Blind or sensory impaired. Costs associated with this work are higher due to the need for specialist equipment and communication support.

The Tech and Peer Support Hub will provide modern, equipped, safe spaces enabling people to run peer support groups, learn new skills and try new things. The hub will help overcome historic access barriers experienced by D/deaf, Blind people utilising technology.

The Access Foundation are funding a new project and Tech Assistance post starting in January. The project will make everyday life easier by:

1. Increasing awareness of advances in digital and assistive technology to support independent living

2. Training and supporting people to use devices and assistive tech safely tackling digital exclusion

3. Providing devices and data bundles for those people who simply can't afford it

4. Creating new support connections

The funding will be used to kit the space out including; furniture, accessible I.T equipment, the kit for live streaming activities into people's homes and a resource section of clever, life-changing devices for people to try.

Access Foundation and Vodafone have already donated loads of data bundles and some devices for people who cannot afford it.

I know times are hard and your girdle is tight - but every little donation helps. I use that in funding applications to demonstrate OPE's community support and ability to raise some funds themselves.