By Jane Mackinnon
05 November 2024
Breeze Digital is proud to be sponsoring the 'Tech for Good' award at the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2024.
In anticipation of this year’s awards taking place on Thursday, 7th November, we caught up with last year’s winner in this category, Red Chair Highland.
The 'Tech for Good' award recognises a social enterprise that is using technology to achieve its social impact.
This year’s nominees for the award are:
All the nominees are using technology to create positive change in their communities. We are looking forward to meeting them at this year’s awards and celebrating their achievements.
Kirsty Adam, Operations Manager at Red Chair Highland tell us what it meant to be recognised for their efforts to harness technology in tackling digital exclusion and what has happened in the year since they received the award.
What did it mean to your team to be recognised for your efforts in harnessing technology for positive social change?
Winning the 'Tech for Good' award meant a lot to our team, recognising the hard work, dedication, and commitment we put into using technology to make a positive social impact.
This award validated our efforts to bridge the digital divide and empower individuals who might otherwise be left behind in today’s digital world.
It boosted our motivation, unified our team’s vision, and strengthened our resolve to continue finding innovative solutions that help people overcome digital challenges, access resources, and ultimately transform their lives.
This recognition also opened doors for us to connect with other like-minded organisations, inspiring us to continue evolving our initiatives for even greater impact.
We were able to evidence to potential partners and funders that our digital inclusion services are effective and impactful.
We’re keen to hear how things have progressed for you as an organisation. Have there been any further developments with digital innovation?
Since receiving the award, we've continued expanding our digital initiatives to support a wider range of community needs.
One significant advancement has been the introduction of workshops focused on managing health online, such as wellbeing apps, NHS Near Me and local support services for managing long term health conditions.
These have proven invaluable for individuals looking to manage their health and attend appointments online. We’ve also focused on accessibility, ensuring our resources are inclusive for everyone, regardless of ability or experience level.
These steps have helped us reach more people and make a stronger, lasting impact through our digital inclusion interventions.
Has the award inspired any new ideas for tackling digital exclusion?
Absolutely, the award has sparked several new ideas for tackling digital exclusion in our community. Recognising the impact of our work has inspired us to explore partnerships with local businesses and tech organisations to provide devices and data access to those who face financial barriers.
We’re also continuing to develop a 'Digital Champion' programme, where more digitally confident community members volunteer to mentor those needing support. Additionally, we’re looking at tailoring our digital skills workshops to specific groups, like older adults, those with additional needs and individuals involved in the criminal justice system or transitioning from prison, so we can provide more targeted and relevant support.
This recognition has encouraged us to be even more ambitious in our goal to make technology accessible to everyone.
Finally, do you have any words of wisdom for this year’s nominees?
For this year’s nominees, we’d say embrace the journey!
Recognition for your efforts is incredibly rewarding, but the real impact is in the lives you touch. Stay true to your mission. Celebrate this moment with your team, and use it as a springboard to push your vision even further.
Your work is changing lives, and that’s something to be truly proud of!
To find out more about the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards visit: https://socialenterprise.scot/awards
