MORE than £45,000 has been set aside by the Musselburgh Area Partnership to help make a positive impact to “reduce inequalities” in the community.

A total of £28,894 will fund the ‘People Know How, Computer Delivery/Learn Digital’ project which will deliver 250 refurbished computers, laptops and tablets to help people in the area.

A further £18,100 has been allocated to the East Lothian Play Association for ‘Playful Families Musselburgh’ which will offer therapeutic play sessions in schools and communities.

In relation to the digital initiative, work will take place with East Lothian Council, Third Sector organisations, community groups and NHS Lothian to ensure the equipment reaches those in need. Each recipient will be supported by a volunteer befriender.

A spokesman for the area partnership said: “This funding will enable People Know How to build capacity and deliver a Musselburgh specific service. A team of staff will allocate time to the service and support and manage a team of volunteers, interns and placement students. As coronavirus restrictions are eased and we move into the recovery phase we will provide face to face support to people at locations within the communities making up the Musselburgh Area Partnership area.”

He added: “Worsened by Covid-19, isolation and loneliness and digital exclusion are growing problems for people in Musselburgh and the surrounding area. They will support people to discover the power of the internet and reconnect with their hobbies, passions, friends, and families, through the abundance of opportunities a digital device can offer.

“They will work in a person-centred way – at the pace the person wants to go and on what is important to the person.

“People Know How have supported people with any number of issues that have been important to them from getting the best deal on their internet to learning to play a musical instrument online.

“They aim to support every person with a befriender who will support them to discover and grow their digital confidence. From experience this can involve a couple of sessions to meeting twice a week for a year.”

The spokesperson explained that the focus of the ‘Playful Families Musselburgh’ initiative recognises that many children have experienced anxiety, stress and loss throughout the period of Covid-19 restrictions and that the transitions back into nursery and school will be challenging for many. Families may be experiencing financial and emotional difficulties, impacting the whole family, he added.

Iain Clark, area partnership chairman, said: “The Musselburgh Area Partnership has been actively looking at deliverable projects through key partners which will have a positive impact on reducing inequalities in a number of areas affecting our community.

“Both these projects were presented at a recent meeting of the partnership and were subject to questioning by the members. Both projects were agreed by the partnership as valuable in supporting our community. We look forward to receiving updates on progress over the next year.”