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Ventnor Cafe Part Of National Study Into Impact Of Digital Exclusion

An Isle of Wight support venue is at the heart of new research conducted into the impact of increased digital exclusion on people living with severe mental illness.

The Ventnor Wellbeing Cafe was one of the main hubs involved in the study by Rachael Middle (NHS Trust) and Dr Lindsay Welch (Wessex Academic Health Sciences Network).

While there are many potential benefits from increased use of digital tools, including more rapid access to personalised information, there is also an acknowledged risk of some people being excluded.

Dr Middle said:

“Ventnor Wellbeing Café is a very special place, offering inclusive support and kindness to anyone in Ventnor who would benefit from informal support with their mental wellbeing.

"I am so grateful to them for supporting this research, sharing their experiences and their passion for raising awareness of inequalities in access to digital tools.

I am excited for the progress we can make working together and the difference it will hopefully make for people on the Island.”

The research can be viewed online.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has now received funding from the Q Community to implement some of the recommendations that came out of the research.

The Q Community is a connected group which works together to improve health and care quality across the UK and Ireland.

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