Deloitte, Close the Gap, and VUB tackle loneliness among the elderly, sick, and disabled with ‘Virtual Hugs’ initiative during the COVID-19 crisis

With the initiative “Virtual Hugs”, Deloitte, Close the Gap and VUB tackle loneliness with the elderly, patients and people who have limitations during the COVID-19 crisis.

April 2020 - Deloitte, Close the Gap, and Vrije University in Brussels (VUB) created the initiative “Virtual Hugs” to help elderly people in residential care centres, patients in hospitals and people with limitations in assisted livings to keep in touch with their family and friends. This initiative answers the requests these three types of institutions received. To tackle loneliness, these organizations collect tablets and smartphones and buy new equipment that elderly people, patients and people with limitations can have video calls with their loved ones.

On the platform that was developed by Deloitte, companies and people can register used tablets and smartphones or donate financial means to buy new tablets and smartphones. Close the Gap refurbished the equipment. VUB Taskforce e-Inclusion gives users guidance with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). In addition, the 3 organisations rely on their network to collect as many tablets and smartphones as possible for Virtual Hugs. “It is more important than ever to stay in contact with each other to prevent isolation,” according to Hilde Van de Vlede, Chief Purpose Officer at Deloitte Belgium.

With the Virtual Hugs initiative, we want elderly people, patients and people with limitations to stay in contact with the their environment so they know they are not alone in these special times. Since the launch of the intiative, we have delivered 2,115 tablets and smartphones to 417 institutions, that has had an impact for 20,000 people. In addition to this contribution from other organisations, the Flemish government has contributed a financial donation of 375.000 euros.

The smartphones and tablets are distributed to different residential care centres, hospitals and retirement homes.

For more information about this initiative, and how you can donate, you can visit virtualhugs.be.