Local youngsters, Harvey and Archie, delivering two new iPads to Speyside Care Home last week
Residents living in a care home in Aberlour now have a new way to stay connected with friends and family, thanks to resilience funding from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
In March, SSEN repurposed its Resilient Communities Fund, making over £320,000 available to support local efforts to help those most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Funding allocated to Speyside Community Council was used to purchase two iPads and protective cases to help local care home residents connect with family and friends while restrictions on visiting remain in place.
Local youngsters Harvey and Archie last week delivered the devices to the village's Speyside Care Home, with the remaining money donated to Moray School Bank to support children across the region.
In Moray, 17 community councils received funding, coordinated by the Joint Community Councils, to continue providing a lifeline to vulnerable individuals and families through delivering shopping, prescriptions and befriending those who are alone and isolated during the pandemic.
Speyside Community Council's Chairperson, Marion Ross, said:
"We noticed there was a lot of support for food across the area during the pandemic, so we wondered what we could do that was a little different. We knew residents of the care home in Aberlour couldn't meet up with their family, so we got in touch with the care home's IT company who advised us to get iPads and helped us set up the devices ready for use."
"At this very difficult time it is important that the residents are able to maintain contact with family and friends, particularly when actual visits are either restricted or impossible. We wish the residents many happy online hours with their families."
Shona Horn, SSEN's Regional Customer Relationship Manager, added:
"As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to be felt across the communities we serve, it's great to see our resilience funding being put to good use. We hope the residents of Speyside Care Home enjoy connecting with their loved ones in a different way until restrictions ease and they can meet with their family and friends once again."
Since its launch in 2015, SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund has now provided over £2.7 million to 538 local community projects to build resilience and protect those most vulnerable. The criteria for this year's fund was changed following consultation with SSEN stakeholder groups, who strongly supported opening the fund early and targeting coronavirus response.