Where to get help

If you have never used a laptop or smart phone or any technology, it can be a daunting experience, or you may have some knowledge and experience but would like to learn more about using technology.  Alongside our Adult Social Care team, the Connect to Tech Service can help. Connect to Tech is a group of local organisations who can support you to get online and help increase your confidence in using technology. We have listed the organisations that you can contact for information and advice, find out more about upcoming workshops and training, and in some cases to borrow a device to try at home.

Richmond AID

Richmond AID's ​Connect to Tech service offers people with physical and/or learning disabilities and unpaid carers training, courses, and informal groups to learn how to get online or learn how to do other new things online. Courses will cover email, Zoom calls, WhatsApp messaging, internet shopping, finding information, online safety, and accessibility features and apps. Courses will also cover​ Wi-Fi and broadband. You can bring your own smart phone, iPad, or laptop or borrow one of ours.

• Email: connecttotech@richmondaid.org.uk  
• Telephone: 020 8831 6070 or 020 3393 7011

Ruils

Ruils' Connect to Tech service offers a ‘Try before you buy’ scheme which will allows you to borrow items such as phones, laptops, tablets, and smart speakers for a period of time. They will work with you to identify a device that best suits your needs and help you to set it up and to purchase the equipment after the trial period.

• Email: connecttotech@ruils.co.uk
• Telephone: 020 8831 6088

Richmond Mencap

Richmond Mencap's Connect to Tech service helps people with learning disabilities, Autism, ADHD and unpaid carers to get comfortable with technology. They work with people who are new to technology and with those who want to improve their skills. You will be able to work in small friendly groups or have one to one support. You can bring your own smart phone, iPad, or laptop or borrow one of ours.

• Email: office@richmondmencap.org.uk
• Telephone: 020 8744 1923

Richmond Borough Mind

Richmond Mind's Connect to Tech service offers people with mental health neds and unpaid carers weekly IT Peer Support sessions where you take your phone or tablet for support on a specific issue or to practice/learn new skills. People with mental health needs and their unpaid carers can also access general IT training with Richmond AID and mental health specific training sessions to find out more about appropriate apps, managing sensory overload, and to explore other digital solutions.

• Email: referrals@rbmind.org
• Telephone: 020 3137 9590

Age UK Richmond

Age UK Richmond's Connect to Tech service is also supported by Multi-cultural Richmond and offers a 4G enabled tablet loan to older adults and unpaid carers with low level digital skills and accessibility for a 6-week period to help you develop skills and recognise the benefits of using technology. Age UK Richmond can advise you on which devices to buy and how to connect them. Also on offer are one to one IT and technology support sessions, drop-in sessions, and group subject specific sessions.

• Email: connecttotech@ageukrichmond.org.uk
• Telephone: 020 8744 1965

Citizens Advice Richmond

​Citizens Advice's Help To Get Online service offers information and advice on local training courses that can help you gain the skills you need to use the internet.

• Contact ​Citizens Advice through their enquiry form
• Telephone: 0808 2787873

Richmond Adult Social Care team

Our Adult Social Care team can help you explore different types of care technology, including apps and devices that best suit your needs and independence. A member of the team will talk to you about the things you enjoy doing, what your strengths are, and what you would like to achieve. From these discussions they will be able discuss what care technology maybe suitable for you.

• Contact our Adult Social Care team.