The North East’s Digital Divide
“Digital Poverty sets up a vicious circle in which those without digital connectivity lose out and become financially poorer. It can exacerbate other forms of poverty among the most disadvantaged households.”
[Source: Lloyds Bank Consumer Digital Index 2021]
In the North East, the percentage of people considered digitally excluded is the highest in the UK and this is not split equally across the population. People who are financially vulnerable or live with a condition that impairs their use of communication services are more likely to be digitally excluded. Digital Voice has been working hard to bridge this gap for many years. Our inTouch digital skills courses cater for absolute beginners and those who are very resistant or anxious about any sort of digital technology. Our interGen programme is a great example of work that is happening in the region to foster digital equity in a really engaging and creative way, with some great results for those taking part:
“I get energised, I feel a lot healthier, I feel a bit more confident and I feel happier in myself. My mental health is improving.”
“The photos and what you can do to them is brilliant … I’ve enjoyed the whole thing.”
The benefits are clear to see, however without longer term support they can be short-lived. Our Managing Director, Julie Nicholson has a longer-term strategy, one that requires investment and access to hardware.
“Just like learning a language or learning to drive, if you can’t practice regularly, you can’t get better or more confident. We can run any number of short courses but if people aren’t able to access a digital device as part of their daily routine, then the learning won’t stick; the ambition for Digital Voice is to support people long-term.”
One way we’re approaching this longer-term strategy is to work with groups to help them continue with the work they’ve started with us. One such example is the Gateshead Muslim Women’s centre, who have recently completed our inTouch short course:
“After completing these sessions I am feeling really satisfied, and I want to learn and explore more online.”
“I’m going to keep trying, and keep practicing my skills.”
For under-represented groups like this, particularly where there’s a language barrier, it’s important that we continue to support them to become digitally independent.
Next year we’ll run a three-phase pilot project designed to benefit two groups of older adults who have limited confidence and digital skills supported by the NHS in Gateshead and Weardale. We'll start by working intergenerationally in this first phase, which makes the learning process enjoyable and informal, and builds their confidence. Then, we'll provide them with loaned devices and free data, enabling them to continue learning independently between sessions. Once they’ve completed the inTouch course we'll offer drop-in and one-on-one sessions to help them set up their devices for various digital tasks that are relevant to their needs.
“I first set up this organisation to bridge the digital divide, and sixteen years on, that’s still my mission but we can’t do it alone. I really welcome this investment and forward-thinking attitude from our NHS partners.”
- Julie Nicholson
We look forward to sharing the results of this new way of working in the New Year.
To find out more about our inTouch programme: inTouch
The Digital Inclusion Network offers access to a device bank for member organisations, for more information visit: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-network-services-map/