Age UK East Sussex Launches Appeal to Support Digitally-Excluded Older People

“Ensuring No One Is Left Behind” – New appeal launches to support the growing number of older people struggling to access digital-only systems to get the help they need.

Imagine your mum, grandad, or a neighbour you care about needing essential support, but the only way to get this is via an online form and they have no internet.

Or perhaps they’re hard of hearing and stuck with a voice-recognition phone system that can’t understand them. Or partially sighted and expected to complete an essential medical form on a tiny phone screen.

For many older people in East Sussex, this isn’t a future worry. It’s happening right now.

As local councils and services shift to online-only applications for vital benefits such as Attendance Allowance and the Blue Badge, Age UK East Sussex is experiencing a surge in older people urgently needing help. 

Without digital access, or systems designed for accessibility, or just the confidence to face a barrage of passwords and automations, many are facing overwhelming barriers to the support they need to stay independent.

As a result Age UK East Sussex has launched its new appeal, “Ensuring No One Is Left Behind,” running from now until the end of January, to raise £25,000 to meet this growing need.

Older people are being left behind - and demand for help is soaring

The charity’s Information & Advice service is receiving more requests than ever from people who simply cannot navigate online-only systems. What should be routine applications can feel stressful, frightening, and often impossible for those without digital skills, smart devices, or access to the internet.

This sharp rise in demand follows changes to application processes across the county - leaving many older people unable to apply for the benefits they are eligible for without specialist support.

The dedicated I&A team is now working against a three-month waiting list, and staff fear that with such a long wait, more older people will continue to go without the support they need.

Why Age UK East Sussex is asking for support

Funds raised through this appeal will go directly towards:

Recruiting and training additional advisors and volunteers

Providing more one-to-one appointment slots

Covering essential running costs of the Information & Advice service

(including telephone support, outreach visits, and in-person appointments)

These additional resources will help ensure older people get the help to apply for what they need - safely, confidently, and without long delays.

Steve Hare, CEO, Age UK East Sussex told That's Health: “We hear from people every day who are desperate and worn down by systems they simply can’t access. These aren’t luxuries - they’re essential services that help people stay cared for and independent.

"No one should be left without support because they don’t have a laptop or can’t use a smart phone. With the backing of our community, we can reach people sooner, reduce waiting times, and make sure every older person in East Sussex can apply for the support they need.”

How you can help

Age UK East Sussex is calling on local residents, businesses, and community groups to come together to support the appeal.

Please visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastsussex /staying human for more information 

Even a small donation can help an older person begin their journey to accessing the benefits and support they need.

Improved patient care and 1,500 hours a year saved at Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with Digital Pen technology

The Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is improving patient care by speeding up the process of patient feedback after implementing a new Digital Pen and Paper solution from technology innovator Anoto and UK partner Ubisys. For an initial investment of £65,000, the solution has revolutionised the patient feedback process, saving staff up to 30 man-hours a week – around 1,500 hours a year.

Deployed across 57 wards and departments, a patient, carer or member of staff can fill in a patient experience form using the Digital Pen, dock it at a PC or laptop on the ward and every morning the data is uploaded, collated and then sent for real-time analysis and reporting. Patient experience has significantly improved in 45 of the 55 areas surveyed. In addition, the Trust has secured Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) funding valued at £913,000.

“We are constantly striving to do better – in terms of patient feedback, patient experience and patient care,” explains Heather Keane, Assistant Director – Quality, Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who receives a daily patient feedback update.

“Our previous manual system was flawed, as it was very time-consuming and the information was often out of date by the time we received it – leading to delays in improvements to patient care. The new system means quick and easy recording of feedback with no disruption to patients and huge time and cost savings for staff. The pens are simple to use, require no training and are familiar to everyone who has ever used pen and paper.”

The Trust plans to continue the rollout, potentially up to 1,000 users. Designed for the hospital’s specific requirements, Anoto partner Ubisys installed its Ubisys Formidable platform on its own network and placed a pen on every ward.

“The joy of Digital Pen technology is in its simplicity – easy to install, easy to use and easy to become reliant on,” adds Ubisys Managing Director, Tarek Ghouri. “Our years of experience working within healthcare means we can focus on helping deliver improved patient outcomes by allowing healthcare providers to focus on their job – caring for patients – and less on administration. We are looking forward to completing the rollout at Doncaster and seeing further improvements.”

www.anoto.com/healthcare