Digital Citizen Panel Member Spotlight: Red Chair Highland

Red Chair Highland to host DCP Conversation Café – Bring a Buddy in Inverness in October

We’re excited that digital inclusion charity/Digital Citizen Panel member Red Chair Highland will be the first to co-host a DCP Conversation Café – Bring a Buddy at their community space in Inverness in October. After a summer of discussions and visits Gozie (Digital Network Officer) and Kirsty Adam, (Red Chair Highland Development Officer) are preparing to have the Café beamed from the Denny St premises with a few Inverness ‘buddies’ invited to join. It’s a first for the Café as it goes ‘on the road’ to reach more people in more places.

About Red Chair Highland

Red Chair Highland is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Inverness. They underwent a rebrand and change in management in August 2021 and have refocused to reflect the growing demand for digital inclusion services and work to close the digital divide in the Highlands.

‘..Our service users mostly comprise of people in crisis or those who are significantly disadvantaged. We respond swiftly to needs in order to have the most successful outcomes for each person. We run a busy digital hub where we run group workshops and offer 1-1 support. We also operate digital outreach services, providing digital inclusion services across the Highlands to digitally excluded, isolated and vulnerable individuals including older adults, care experienced people, those on benefits, recently released from prison, affected by alcohol or substance use, refugees and those affected by homelessness.

Digital inclusion services include – funded digital device and connectivity provision, digital support to use devices and build digital confidence (1-1

support, group sessions and workshops), digital skills training, employability assistance and more…’

Kirsty Adam, Operations Manager, became a DCP member in August 2024. She and other Red Chair Highland staff/volunteers have been attending the Conversation Café’s online since.

Kirsty said: ‘Here at Red Chair Highland are passionate about digital inclusion and our small team works tirelessly to close the digital divide. We are thrilled to be hosting the first ‘on the road’ conversation cafe and look forward to welcoming you virtually and in person in October!’

This opportunity was driven by DCP feedback over the years for more local engagement from the Digital health and care team. Feedback from the panel has highlighted the importance of ‘in person’ engagement – and there’s a good choice of opportunities to reach communities and raise awareness. Gozie and the Discover Digital Development Officer, Maisie Peebles are available to co-plan in person or online digital awareness opportunities with you. Including:

· Informal/interactive sessions for community members, staff and/or volunteers (Discover Digital),

· Drop-in/presentations/information stalls at community events and conferences,

· Hosting a Conversation Café – co-planned with accessible venues.

Get in touch about hosting a Conversation Café or other engagement opportunity contact: dhcscot@alliance-scotland.org.uk.

Links

Digital Citizen Panel

Digital Red Chair Highland | Digital Inclusion Services Highlands | 58 Denny Street, Inverness, UK

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