Virtual hub trial to help advise on wellbeing issues

The trial, run by Scottish Borders Council alongside key partners from the Health and Social Care and Community Planning partnerships, begins on Thursday, April 22.

Advice on health and social care services are being provided through multi-agency Community Assistance Hubs on the council’s 0300 100 1800 number, but these virtual hubs will enable people to have a more personal conversation through a video call similar to Skype or Facetime, using the ‘Near Me’ technology currently used by NHS and Health and Social Care staff.

They will also provide a much broader range of support than was previously available and will be supported by a number of services including adult social work and occupational therapy, welfare advice and benefits, employability support, local area coordination (mental health, learning disabilities and older adults), the wellbeing service and third sector organisations such as the Red Cross and Volunteer Centre Borders.

Councillor Tom Weatherston, executive member for adult wellbeing, said: “The Community Assistance Hubs continue to provide an absolutely vital service for people needing support and anyone looking for advice shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch to see what is available.

“There is no doubt, however, that some people miss being able to have a face to face conversation and these virtual What Matters Hubs are an extremely effective way of doing just that.

"They can be done from the comfort of your own home and are an ideal way to talk to professionals in a relaxed, informal way if you are looking for guidance on what is available to support your health and wellbeing.

“I would encourage Teviot & Liddesdale residents to make full use of the hubs over the period of the trial.”

The Teviot and Liddesdale online sessions will take place every Thursday between 10am and 1pm. There is no need to book an appointment as the Hubs will operate on a drop-in basis.

To use it, you will need access to a device such as a smartphone, laptop or iPad that has a webcam, speaker and microphone and an internet browser such as Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Microsoft Edge.