Case Studies

12 New Mart Road
Edinburgh
EH14 1RL

Digital Inclusion - WiFi
Digital Inclusion - KiOSK Terminals
Procurement for Housing Framework

Trust Housing Association

In 2016, Trust Housing approached Social Telecoms to discuss how our products and services could help increase the levels of digital participation in their developments for older people. After a successful pilot at 3 of their sites using our KiOSKs and Community WiFi, they have now decided to roll this project out across the additional 67 sites across Scotland over four years. Tenants had started to request WiFi, saying that they felt 'alienated from society' and that they were 'getting left behind'. After the installation, Trust saw a 550% increase in users online with tenants saying 'It opens up the entire world, even if you're not able to get out of your own flat'. We're very happy to partner with Trust Housing on this important project to assist their communities get online.

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"It opens up the entire world even if you're not able to get out of your own flat."

"I am nearly 90 years old and have ignored the digital world long enough. I now feel I should give it a go and will try the training sessions so I can skype my family in Canada and France “

"I am finding it great, it’s like looking up an encyclopedia and you can find anything you want to know. Wonderful!"
Trust Housing residents
“Tenants can now communicate with Trust Housing digitally should they choose. They will be able to report repairs, view rent accounts, make complaints, apply for housing etc. As part of our digital strategy we will adopt a self-service approach for those who want to communicate in this way. This will free up front line resources and we can then direct them to where they are most required, reducing void loss and days to let.
Gail Gorlay; Director of Customer Services, Trust
“It was great to be a part of Trust Housing's digital participation project. Every stakeholder involved in the project; from their ICT team and community teams to their residents have been co-operative and supportive for the project's success. They continue to assist us to build the networks and services that'll meet the needs of their connected, online Trust communities across Scotland.
Rob Mottram; Sales Director, Social Telecoms

case-study-housing-solutions

Crown House
Crown Square
Waldeck Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire SL6 8BY

Fixed Lines Telecoms
Mobile Phone Airtime
Digital Inclusion - Residential Wi-Fi
Lone Worker Protection
Procurement for Housing Framework

Housing Solutions

Established in 1995, Housing Solutions is a leading provider of affordable homes in the South East. They own, manage and maintain more than 8,000 homes in Maidenhead, Wokingham and Slough.

They initially approached us to supply their landlines but have since followed this up with a digital inclusion project to install wifi in 4 sheltered schemes -with up to 6 more to follow suit.

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We liked Social Telecoms because they were not like normal sales people. In particular, we were impressed by the pricing they provide to PfH members. They have worked out significantly cheaper – we have saved in excess of 25%. We also like the social aspect of what Social Telecoms do as it fits in with our own values.
Richard Harvey, ICT Manager
This is a good example of a relationship that's blossomed. They have recognised the value of the PfH framework and our ultra low pricing demonstrated how we made them significant savings.
Rob Mottram, Head of Business Development
We are keen to make as many of our services available through online portals as this reduces the cost to us of a resident making contact by 90% compared to staffing a call centre and maintaining freephone numbers. It also becomes possible to run a 24/7 service - which is far more convenient for working residents.
Richard Harvey, ICT Manager
We have an award-winning repair service and have invested significantly in it. Our new website will make it possible to see our repair staff's schedules live when booking an appointment. We are also looking at making available prime appointment slots - the first and last of the working day - exclusively available online to incentivise further take-up of the online service by residents. But this is only worth doing if enough residents are online - which is why Social Telecoms' digital inclusion programmes are vital to the success of this project.
Richard Harvey, ICT Manager

Brassey Road
Old Potts Way
Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY3 7FA

Fixed Lines Telecoms
Mobile Phone Airtime
Digital Inclusion - Wi-Fi
Digital Inclusion - KiOSK Terminals
Digital Inclusion - Digital Den

Severnside Housing

Social Telecoms has announced a major deal with Severnside Housing which will not only reduce the spend on their telecoms contracts by nearly 40% and save them over £44,000 per year, but includes a significant social value product that enables them to fulfil their social obligations by helping to bridge the digital divide in the communities they serve.

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While price was a key factor in the decision to award the contract, Severnside also recognised that Social Telecoms could bring added value by using this partnership to ensure that residents have access to online services, without which they may simply not be able to manage their benefits and rent payments.
Peter Donovan, Commercial Director
The Digital Den is a model that can be rolled out to other Registered Providers of Social Housing. As a social enterprise, we don't pay a dividend to shareholders or owners, so the surplus from the corporate contracts we offer to housing association is invested back in the community, while still offering excellent value and the latest technology.
John Clarke, Managing Director

A Unique Partnership

The unique partnership between Social Telecoms and Severnside Housing has now resulted in the opening of a Digital Den; a local walk in centre with a suite of free to use touch screen computers and broadband products providing a vital service for tenants when Universal Credit comes in and many benefits services migrate to online platforms. The Den also provides accessible training facilities, open to local community groups and agencies. The Digital Den is just the start of a series of initiatives to reduce the digital divide and ensure social housing tenants are not excluded from vital services or access to employment opportunities. The partnership has started to provide low-cost, estate-wide Wi-Fi to the local community with Pay As You Go terms and also offer low cost computers, including refurbished equipment, from just £90.

Emperor House
2 Emperor Way
Doxford International Business Park
Sunderland
Tyne & Wear SR3 3XR

Fixed Line Telephone Calls
Mobile Phone Airtime
Digital Inclusion

Delivered

Price. Quality. Value.

Gentoo Group, based in Sunderland are one of the largest providers of social housing in England, with some 30,000 homes and over 70,000 customers in the North East area. Each Procurement decision is guided by the Group's Procurement Principles; price, quality and added value is important. So when they were looking for a new supplier for their mobile and fixed line call services, Social Telecoms came out on top thanks to having the lowest price and the social value package we were able to provide.

They were looking to switch the contract for their c.1500 mobile phones, tablets and dongles and all corporate fixed line calls. As part of the overall package they will also receive a digital inclusion fund to be spent as they see fit on Wi-Fi for tower blocks, computer kiosk terminals and Windows PCs.

Strathmore House
Rolling Mill Road
Jarrow
Tyne and Wear NE32 3DP

Digital Inclusion - WiFi
Digital Inclusion - KiOSK Terminals
Digital Inclusion - Windows PCs
CCTV
Procurement for Housing Framework

Social Telecoms has just announced its largest ever digital inclusion project to bring the benefits of low-cost internet access to housing association tenants. South Tyneside Homes, based in South Shields, have placed the £900,000 order for wifi at 26 sheltered housing schemes across the borough as well as web-based CCTV, computer suites, kiosk terminals, printers and telecare.

The deal was secured through the PfH Framework Agreement, a buying consortium for housing associations that ensures its members not only get the benefits of combined purchasing power but also that suppliers pass stringent quality and service standards. By overseeing the whole process, PfH also ensures that any agreements are fully compliant in EU procurement law.

Rob MottramHead of Business Development

This is the biggest project we've ever undertaken, but the main beneficiaries are going to be the residents themselves. Around 70% of social housing tenants have no internet access, compared to 27% of the population as a whole, and South Tyneside Homes are one of a growing number of housing associations who recognise this puts them at a massive disadvantage financially and socially.