The global Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus have had an unprecedented impact on the national and local economy and on people’s wellbeing and mental (as well as physical) health. Nationally the magnitude of the recession caused by the pandemic is unprecedented, GDP declined by 9.8% in 2020 the steepest drop since records began in 1948.

The pandemic has also had a severe impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing, due to long periods of anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty. The Herefordshire Community Wellbeing Survey 2021 found 28% of people reported high levels of anxiety, 32% experienced drop in household income, 33% doing less exercise, and 30% sleeping less well. Wellbeing is lowest in those living in the most deprived areas.
The council has worked across all directorates to support businesses, residents and communities throughout the pandemic to remain as safe as possible and to prevent and reduce spread of infection and protect those most vulnerable in our society.

Our focus now moves towards recovery. Over the coming months the true impact of the pandemic will become better known for the economy, community wellbeing and organisation.
To support the recovery cabinet approved a £6m Covid Recovery Plan which includes the economy, community wellbeing and organisation. The recovery plan now focuses on the immediate impactful actions we need to take in the short term. Our priorities are to:
- Establish Safe and Welcoming Places
- Support Business Viability and Resilience,
- Support Employment
- Support Wellbeing.

This ROOD will give authorisation for direct funding to be provided to Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire to deliver the following activities:

- 6 week courses
Co-ordinators will facilitate weekly cafes at rural locations around Herefordshire such as village halls, community centres or our own offices and make use of the wealth of how to guides that are available to improve digital skills. Creating a weekly 6 week course to cover: the basic skills, how to access and use social media, set up email, use Zoom/Facetime/Video calling, how to stay safe online and online shopping. These will be delivered by Co-ordinators and supported by Digital Volunteers. A follow on 121 course will also be offered, if participants wish to continue their learning. Age UK will work with them on a 121 basis to support with specific individual tasks like personal admin for household bills, setting up online energy accounts and personal banking.

- 121/Outreach support
For those who are at the very early stages of entering the digital world, we will provide 121 outreach support by way of Co-ordinator meeting with the client to understand their individual needs. Once these needs have been established, a Digital Volunteer will be allocated who will provide ongoing support to enable the client to get online. This could be with liaising with broadband providers to set up connections, supporting with purchasing the right equipment, setting up new devices and end with supporting the client to attend one of the courses being offered in their local area to continue to build on their new skills.

- Tablet Loan
Purchasing 50 tablets, 20 of which will be dedicated to delivering our courses. The remaining tablets will be made available for loan to clients for a 3 month period to ‘try before they buy’. An agreement will be established between Age UK and the client so all parties are clear on their expectations. An agreement will be established between Age UK and the client so all parties are clear on their expectations. How tablets will be utilised beyond the project timescales will be decided jointly by Age UK and Herefordshire Council at the end of the project.

Age UK has modelled their offer on the following predicted beneficiary impact:
Age UK believe the number of beneficiaries detailed below could be supported based on: employing 2 Co-ordinators at 30hrs per week, recruiting 20 volunteers to support with the café running and 121 support, and that the project starts on time in September/October 2021.
The number of beneficiaries per year are detailed below:
• 6 week computer café course:288
• Follow on 121 course: 60
• 121 Outreach: 80
• Tablet Loan: 50