06/08/2025
๐ข Empowering People Through Digital Literacy - Spaces available!
In partnership with Citizen Literacy, The Marie Trustโs Digital Literacy Project is helping people who are homeless, or affected by mental health, addiction, or justice services, to break down barriers to the digital world.
Our Impact in the first year of its pilot:
- 59 people supported โ including those experiencing homelessness, transitioning from prison, and in residential care
- 81 people helped to get online and access essential services like NHS, housing, mental health support, and community resources
- 28 people supported to open bank accounts, use online banking, and register with GPs and health services
- 13 people guided through online college applications, job searches, and personal statements
- 30 people received ongoing support with using devices and troubleshooting digital issues
- 46 instances of homelessness addressed and 125 mental health support interactions recorded during engagement
- Digital Harm Reduction Champions: 9 trained staff/volunteers, with 17 more upskilled to confidently support others digitally
- Devices distributed: 44 phones, 8 tablets, 3 laptops, and connectivity to keep people connected
Real Stories, Real Change:
'Pat', a 67-year-old who once feared technology, now texts family, uses YouTube, and attends literacy classes through the Citizen Literacy app, boosting his confidence and independence. โโBut before I came here, I just refused to do writing, because I was so depressed, and I thought people would say, Or look at that state, and, because I hadn't done it for years. Once I came here, all the groups, I've learnt more here than I did at my secondary. Before I could nae, like, full stop, comma, colons, and question marks, I just used to write a sentence and not put anything in it and just leave, like, wee space. But now I can, I can sit and write a letter and it's improved my literacy. But Adam's learnt me to text and now I can go on YouTube and I can look up sports things and watch things he's learnt. He's downloaded a lot of apps for me, which is good because all these years I wasn't interested because I always thought I cannae learn that, I'm stupid''.
Get Involved:
๐ Where: The Marie Trust, 29 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1LH
๐ Contact: Call or text Adam on 07903 263 261
๐ง Email: amcilwaine@themarietrust.org.uk
Together, we are making digital inclusion a reality.