CareOnLine works to improve the quality of life and reduce
social isolation among carers, older and disabled people
using the benefits that ICT can bring. The team increases
the opportunities for people to retain their independence
in their own homes, provides skills which will help them to
improve their well being and bridge the digital divide
between generations. The idea came from social workers
who saw how the internet could benefit older people by
enabling them to do their shopping for example.
CareOnLine works with social care and health
professionals, district councils and voluntary organisations
and provides a complete outreach service to people’s
homes, day centres and sheltered housing.
Independent evaluation by Loughborough University over
two years has shown that:
• 97% of participants had a favourable experience
• 69% would not have connected without
CareOnLine
• 76% said that CareOnLine had a positive impact on
their daily lives
• 58% said CareOnLine had a positive impact on
people close to them
Following a successful two year pilot in one area of
Leicestershire the project was adopted as a service in adult
social care and expanded across the county to include
vulnerable adults, residential homes and day care centres.
“Working with CareOnLine has provided three of my most
disabled clients with an accessible, supported route into
learning. Long-term chronic illness had left these
individuals house-bound and socially isolated. The help
they have received has been extraordinary and the change
to their lives has been significant.”
For further information about this project please contact:
Ian Retson at iretson@leics.gov.uk
