Tech lending library

Alternative Futures Group – Tech lending library

Health and social care charity Alternative Futures Group (AFG) is offering the people it supports the chance to borrow a range of automated items including robotic pets, voice assistive technology, and VR headsets to enhance their lives and achieve their goals.

Technology can transform their lives for the better by supporting independence and communication, and in some cases can decrease feelings of anxiety and loneliness.
 

Anthony’s tech lending library experience

Anthony, 47, is supported by Alternative Futures Group in Lancaster and has seen great improvements in his physical and mental health through borrowing a smartphone and smartwatch from the AFG library.

Anthony, who has a learning disability and is non-verbal, took an interest in his support team’s mobile phones and photos. The team organised for Anthony to borrow a phone from the tech library to see if he could use it to take photos of his own.

Michael Dobson, Anthony’s Support Worker said:

“He got used to navigating around the phone really quickly and it’s been amazing to see Anthony pursue his passion in photography, be creative, and build his own albums of memories with photos he has taken himself.
“Although Anthony faces challenges in reading and writing, he found motivation in tracking the increasing numbers on his smartwatch as a measure of his daily progress. He is now much more enthusiastic about going outside and wants to go on walks every day, and his fitness and mood have improved as a result.
“He wouldn’t have had the opportunity to test out these items if it wasn’t for the Tech Lending Library. Both the smartphone and watch have improved his mood, physical well-being and confidence, which has been amazing to see.”

Stella also benefited from a loan

Stella, 70, who is supported for a mental health condition in Liverpool, borrowed a robotic dog from the AFG tech lending library to help combat her loneliness and anxiety. She and the dog are pictured above.

Stella, who had a dog when she was younger, said:

“I stroke him, he talks and I talk back to him, and he makes me not be lonely.”

Animal-assisted therapy, which includes robotic pet technology as well as live animals, has been proven to have a positive impact on depression, loneliness and anxiety.
 

Carol Toner, AFG Head of Business Development said:

“We’re proud to offer the people we support the opportunity to try out tech they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to use otherwise.

“We understand the pivotal role tech plays in breaking down barriers and fostering independence for individuals like Anthony and Stella, and we are continuously adding to our collection to further enhance the lives of the people we support.”

Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below

Further reading and resources

Who will be your digital carer?

We need to collaborate to tackle the loneliness epidemic

Social prescribing can help reduce loneliness

Make sure you don’t miss out on news from Independent Living

return to top