The Feeling Connect Fund has enabled Ashgate Hospicecare to buy 7 tablet devices to create an IT equipment loan service for its community patients. The tablets are all set up with the most up to date software, apps and for those without broadband the sim cards they need to access virtual hospice support, wellbeing activities; and a way to connect with others to combat their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Yvonne McDonald, who was diagnosed with malignant glioma of the brain in August, will be loaned one of Ashgate Hospicecare’s tablets, which has been funded by a grant of £4,792 from the Feeling Connected Fund. The 68-year-old, from Bolsover, is looking forward to accessing Ashgate’s virtual Day Services so she can connect with different people and benefit from the online therapy sessions. She had previously tried to access the virtual services but didn’t have the necessary equipment or software until now.
She said: “It’s lovely to find out I’ll be getting one of Ashgate’s new tablets and I’m looking forward to using mine.
“I want to take part in the quizzes and other activities; I think it will be a good opportunity to take my mind of things.
“It will also be good to meet and speak to different people, it’ll be good to do things with others after not seeing people during the lockdown.”