IFB Gaming

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All posts by IFB Gaming

Healthcare

Unlocking Convenient NHS Healthcare Access for Older and Elderly People

Are you or a loved one finding it challenging to book NHS appointments online? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many seniors face the same hurdle in today’s digital age. But here’s the good news: Technology can be your ally, and we’re here to help!

Currently, you may experience one of the following:

  1. Appointments have moved to Swiftqueue
  2. There seem to be backlogs
  3. There may be a latency issue, especially in SMS and bookings
  4. There are queues

We will get there. But You, or IFB, or the NHS, cannot do it alone. At IFB Gaming, we understand that navigating the digital landscape can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to essential healthcare appointments such as blood tests. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing tailored support for seniors in Southwark.

Bridging the Digital Gap

Our mission is simple, to empower seniors to take control of their healthcare by mastering the online appointment booking process. Here’s what we offer:

  1. Personalised Assistance: Our friendly team of tech-savvy volunteers is here to guide you every step of the way. We’ll patiently walk you through the process, ensuring you feel confident and comfortable using online platforms.
  2. One-on-One Training: We believe in learning at your pace. Through personalised one-on-one training sessions, we’ll teach you how to use your computer, tablet, or smartphone to access NHS services.
  3. Booking Support: Need help scheduling that important doctor’s appointment or arranging a prescription refill? We’ve got you covered. We’ll assist you in booking NHS appointments online, so you can receive the care you deserve.
  4. Tech Tips and Tricks: Discover handy tips and tricks to make using technology a breeze. From setting up email accounts to securely managing your healthcare records, we’ll ensure you’re well-equipped.
  5. Confidence Building: Our aim is not just to help you book appointments but to boost your overall digital confidence. We’ll make sure you feel comfortable navigating the online world independently.

Why Choose Us?

  • Human-Centered Care: We prioritise your needs and tailor our support to match your requirements.
  • Empowering Independence: Our goal is to empower you to take control of your healthcare journey.
  • Experienced Team: Our compassionate volunteers are well-versed in assisting seniors with digital literacy.

Join us at IFB Gaming and embark on a journey towards hassle-free healthcare access. With our support, you’ll gain the skills and confidence needed to book NHS appointments online, ensuring you receive timely and efficient medical care.

Don’t let technology stand in the way of your health and well-being. Contact us today to get started on your digital healthcare journey. Together, we’ll unlock a world of convenience and peace of mind for your healthcare needs.

Digital Inclusion , Empowering Futures

IFB Gaming Joins FutureDotNow Coalition

Our commitment is to elevate digital inclusion and eradicate digital poverty. We recognise that this endeavour requires a collective effort beyond any single expert, organisation, government, or community. Hence, we are proud to announce that we are now an active member of the FutureDotNow coalition and will align our tangible and intangible resources and objectives with the alliance to eradicate digital inclusion and data poverty from the UK.

The pandemic has underscored the urgency of our mission, signalling that traditional methods may no longer suffice during technology adoption maturity and beyond.

Future Dot Now is a coalition of forward-thinking organisations dedicated to enhancing essential digital skills in the UK’s workforce. There are currently 133 members in the coalition, including esteemed organisations such as Good Things Foundation, PwC, and Lloyds Banking Group.

We are honoured to be a part of this dynamic coalition.

FutureDotNow Essential Digital Skills Framework
Essential Digital Skills Framework (Credit: Future Dot Now)

Fostering a digitally-enabled culture is pivotal to our nation’s success. As members of the Future Dot Now coalition, we aim to contribute valuable insights while benefiting from the expertise of other esteemed organisations within the coalition.

(Future Dot Now)

About IFB Gaming

IFB, an acronym for International Friends Bureau, is a hybrid bridge and connector research and learning organisation focused on the intersection of play, lifelong learning and digital exclusion.

Our Empowering Futures initiative is an impact-driven initiative designed to tackle digital exclusion, data poverty, and accessibility challenges faced by underserved communities. The programme provides free SIM cards, digital skills training, and connectivity solutions to low-income individuals, refugees, and those without recourse to public funds.

What Membership in the Coalition Means to IFB Gaming

Given our unique positioning as a bridge research and learning organisation researching in English communities, affiliation with the coalition aligns with our mission in several ways:

  1. Support from Digital Inclusion Leaders: We anticipate garnering support from prominent individuals and organisations actively engaged in digital inclusion initiatives in England and Wales.
  2. Knowledge Exchange: Participating in the coalition allows us to share our insights and gain fresh perspectives and expertise specifically tailored to digital inclusion.
  3. Advocating Gamification: We intend to advocate for the benefits of gamification and emerging trends within the coalition.
  4. Awareness Initiatives: We aim to create awareness programs highlighting the myriad applications available to Third Sector organisations and community groups.
  5. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborative efforts within the coalition will contribute to strengthening the UK’s position through strategic partnerships within the Commonwealth.
  6. Promotion of Digital Skills Framework: We are committed to promoting the Essential Digital Skills Framework within BAME communities, starting from the grassroots level.
  7. Community Engagement: We will facilitate volunteering opportunities within the community and offer free or affordable workplace digital training and products to coalition members.

The Essential Digital Skills (EDS) Framework, outlined above, delineates five key skills and provides examples of tasks that individuals should master to demonstrate competence in each skill. Notably, the fifth skill—being safe, legal, and confident online—is interwoven across the other four.

The pandemic has accentuated existing gaps and exposed new challenges. It is evident that while there are numerous efforts underway in UK communities aimed at fostering a prosperous, connected, equitable, and sustainable digital economy, much of this work operates in isolation, often lacking proper documentation and alignment with systemic structures.

We firmly believe that a robust, comprehensive, and cyclical strategy is now imperative, one that is firmly grounded in strategic partnerships and driven from the grassroots and the policy (bottom-up-top-down), with a focus on empowering individuals and communities.

According to the City of London News Room, the UK is leading the digital revolution, with technology, media, and creative businesses outpacing the broader economy in terms of growth. Nevertheless, the rapid pace of change is leaving a significant portion of our population behind:

  • 53% of UK employees lack the essential digital skills necessary for the workplace.
  • 4.1 million adults in the UK remain ‘offline,’ with 75% indicating no motivation to change.
  • 11.3 million UK adults still lack the fundamental skills needed to access the internet, communicate effectively, and solve problems online.

The Future Dot Now coalition has made the following commitments, and we encourage other organisations to join us in this endeavour. Only through collective action can we develop fluid, interconnected, and sustainable solutions that are equal to the tasks and challenges that lie ahead.

Healthcare , Research

NHS: Test & Trace with community groups

NHS Digital worked closely with the National Digital Inclusion Network to recruit participants aged between 18-76 for the usability testing on the NHS App and website.

The organisations involved are:

  1. IFB Gaming
  2. Learn For Life
  3. Smartlyte

During the research, we explored people’s attitudes, beliefs and experiences around coronavirus testing, the pandemic as a whole and how this affected day-to-day living. We explored the concept of taking part in regular coronavirus testing, even without having symptoms and the barriers that people face when trying to access these services. Finally, we looked at the NHS website and some new content about testing, to see how easy or difficult this information was to digest and understand.

The Usability Tests were conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams with a focus on Black, Asian, and other Minority groups in West Midlands, London & South East and Sheffield.

It was a really useful experience to be able to contribute to such vital research which will have a positive impact on communities around the UK

Hayley Nelson BEM (Learn For Life Enterprise, Sheffield)


Usability Testing Result

The research has had a significant outcome on how we approach learning and digital inclusion at IFB Gaming as it exposes elements of the Hidden Middle (proposed by Future Dot Now) and it resonates with the five key skills of the government’s Essential Digital Skills Framework. The research has also impacted research design at the NHS.

Through this feedback, Empowering Futures was also born at IFB. Our social and planetary initiative focused on eradicating digital exclusion from the UK.

Access the full report

Digital Inclusion , Get Online Week , Press Release

Hot off the press! “Empowering Futures”

In an era where technology continues to redefine our lives, the importance of digital literacy and empowerment cannot be overstated. The digital world presents endless opportunities, from connecting with others to accessing vital information and advancing our careers. Recognising this, IFB Gaming is excited to announce the introduction of Get Online Week’s Empowering Futures.

IFB Gaming and Empowering Futures:

At IFB Gaming, we understand the transformative power of the digital realm, especially in the realm of gaming, healthcare, education and public online services.

As we enter the age of technological innovation, digital skills are increasingly becoming essential for personal and professional growth.

Empowering Futures aligns perfectly with our mission to empower voluntary organisations and small businesses to manifest a connected nation where everyone can fully participate and reach their full potential during technology adoption maturity and beyond.

Empowering Futures offers a wide range of events, workshops, and resources designed to equip voluntary organisations and small businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in the digital age.

IFB Gaming is proud to champion this initiative and is committed to supporting and encouraging everyone to harness the power of technology.

Why Participate or Join Empowering Futures:

Empowering Futures is a unique initiative designed to expand your digital horizons, regardless of the size of your organisation. The initiative will support you to future-proof your organisation and to make the best out of the numerous opportunities presented by technology or digital.

Here are some reasons why you should consider joining Empowering Futures:

  1. Boost Your Ream’s Digital Skills: Learn from experts in various fields to enhance your people’s knowledge and gain practical skills that can elevate your online presence.
  2. Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, professionals, and organisations who share your passion for eradicating digital inclusion. Build valuable relationships that can open doors to new opportunities.
  3. Inclusivity: Empowering Futures is committed to promoting and advocating for digital inclusion and diversity at all levels of the society.
  4. Stay Updated: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, policies and opportunities and gain insights from digital inclusion industry leaders and pioneers.

Recommended Reading:

Press Release: Empowering Futures 2023 in London

For more details on Empowering Futures event and to get a sneak peek at what to expect, we highly recommend reading the event’s press release. To access the press release, please visit the official Get Online Week’s Empowering Futures website or contact the team directly.

The official website provides a comprehensive overview of the event, including the schedule, featured speakers, workshops, and registration details.

What is Get Online Week?

Get Online Week is championed by Good Things Foundation. The campaign started in 2007 and it is currently in its 16th year. Good Things Foundation is on a mission to fix the digital divide, increasing awareness of digital exclusion and the pillars to tackle it: access to devices, data and digital skills training.

Every year Get Online Week has enabled people at risk of digital exclusion and data poverty to learn the Essential Digital Skills (Future Dot Now) and take back control of their lives and work during technology adoption maturity and beyond.

Conclusion:

Together, we can shape a future where technology empowers and enriches our lives.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and grow in the digital age.

Don’t forget, whether you are representing a bank, retailer, telecommunications, charity or a community organisation, everybody can participate during Get Online Week by following these three steps.

Upcoming Events