Posted on 3rd April 2023
Category: News
| Chocolate is like digital inclusion It’s the time of year when many of us eat chocolate. Did you know that digital inclusion is like chocolate? Will you eat a tiny bit of chocolate, indulge a lot or leave it alone entirely. You might go online loads whereas your relative might just use the Internet a little or not at all. You can break down online learning into manageable chunks. Different types of chocolate appeal to different people. It’s the same with digital inclusion. A person may not want to go on social media but they love the idea of finding recipes online. Once online they can discover things like the NHS app which gives easy access to many NHS services including ordering prescriptions and making appointments. |
| Funding focus The Digital Inclusion Network Project is eager to support the development of any funding bids with a digital inclusion element so please get in touch soon. A recent survey said lack of funding is a key barrier to carrying out digital inclusion activities so we hope you will click on the links below. East Riding East Riding District Council have a fantastic resource that enables you to search a database of potential funders for your project.Digital inclusion grants from Clarion Housing £1,000 to £5,000, deadline 5 April at 12 noon, for more information and to apply visit the Clarion website.The fund is designed to support Clarion residents of all ages to get and stay online and to use the internet as an everyday tool, safely and confidently. Organisations applying must be in the vicinity of Clarion housing.Digital capability grants from Fat Beehive FoundationUp to £2,500, rolling deadline, for more information and to apply visit the Fat Beehive Foundation website.National Databank from The Good things FoundationNumber of sims available, deadline 30 April (monthly deadline), for more information and to apply visit the Online Centres Network website.The databank provides free data to community partners so they can distribute this to people they support who are experiencing data poverty. |
| Reasons to go online in April Here are some suggested hooks to promote some advantages of getting online.Weekends awayEasterDIYWedding planningGraduation planningChocolate recipesSpring cleaningSpring fashionWeather forecastsWe’d love to hear how you encourage people to go online? |
| Celebrating digital inclusion activities AbilityNet’s friendly tech volunteers provide free IT support to older people and disabled people of any age in Humber and North Yorkshire. If you know someone who could benefit from this service, please email Dave Power or call AbilityNet’s helpline on 0800 048 7642 (freephone and minicom) during UK office hours.Every volunteer is disclosure-checked and can help with setting up equipment, fixing technical issues and helping people get the most out of being online. For details of other support with digital matters, check out the map of provision and if you aren’t mentioned, please email kate.holmes@hwrcc.org.uk so that we can put that right. |
| Alternative provision Whilst many organisations are now taking a “digital first” approach, it is vital we ensure our services are available to those who remain unable or unwilling to get online for whatever reason. There can be an assumption every person has a family member or friend who can help them with digital things. This is not the case and even those who are fortunate enough to have loved ones may not wish to trouble them or to share personal information with them. We’d be delighted to hear what alternative provision you put in place already. We are also setting up a cross-sector working group to look at how we can serve the needs of those who remain digitally excluded. Email now to express your interest in joining us. |
| Tackling the barriers to getting online ConnectivityCheck out social tariffs for Broadband to help people who are struggling financially.KitRead information on the device bank and data bank run by the Good Things Foundation ConfidenceA new and improved version of Learn My Way is coming soon. Barclays Digital Wings have free online courses where you can earn badges as you become more confident digitally.Run by We are Digital in partnership with Lloyds Bank, the digital helpline offers free 1-2-1 Run by We Are Digital in partnership with Lloyds Bank, the digital helpline offers free 1-2-1 training sessions over the phone. Get in touch to book a free training session or to chat about any queries you may have: 0345 222 0333 Lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm. If you have a hearing or speech impairment you can book a session using Relay UK or BSL SignVideo Citizens Online can provide support with digital skills from one of their trained Digital Champions. They offer a freephone Digital Skills Helpline for people who need help to get started. If you, or someone you know, needs help with basic digital skills or support getting online, you can call their free helpline: 0808 196 5883. One of their team of trained digital champions will offer friendly, patient support over the phone.CareLook into a fascinating report launched on Safer Internet Day encouraging us to make space for conversations about life online.Orcha provide health app libraries. These are public-facing websites that provide your community with safe access to quality-assured health apps and digital health products. You can customise your Health App Library to meet your organisation’s standards. |
| Let’s collaborate! Huge thanks to Nikki Moses from the Alzheimer’s Society who shared information on the benefits and difficulties of assistive technology for a person with dementia. There is also a new financial product for online management of finances specifically for people living with dementia – Sibstar – flexible debit card and app helping families living with dementia to safely manage their everyday spending There are millions of people experiencing digital exclusion so no one organisation or sector has the solution to digital inclusion. If you would like to help a geographical area or a community of interest with digital inclusion, please let us know. |
| Events and Training Digital Inclusion Elevenses The Digital Inclusion Network Project will run weekly sessions online where you can drop in to talk all things digital inclusion. We’ll be sending invitations out very soon along with details of monthly network meetings. Watch this space! All Digital Weeks All Digital Weeks, is one of the major pan-European awareness raising campaigns on digital skills for inclusion. The campaign is running from 17 April to 7 May. Anyone can JOIN the campaign byorganising an online/offline event, training, workshop or relevant activity focusing on digital skills, taking place during 17 April – 7 May 2023putting it on the mappromoting the campaign and value of digital skills, sharing their stories, photos and videos through their social media channels and website using the hashtags #ADWeeks2023 #AllDigitalWeeksUnwrapping The Digital Divide Webinar: A community-based approach to digital inclusionTuesday 4th April, 9 – 10am, via Zoom. Book your free space via Zoom.Hosted by DigiCo, this webinar explores the 100% Digital Leeds approach to digital inclusion with case studies. This is the very type of community-based model we want to see in Humber and North Yorkshire.Kooth’s How to support Neurodiverse and SEND Users: Thursday 20 April, 4 – 5pm, via Zoom. Book your free ticket via Eventbrite.Kooth information webinar for professionals: Wednesday 26 April, 4 – 5pm, via Zoom. Book your free ticket via Eventbrite.Kooth offers same day access to free, NHS-commissioned, accredited mental health support. Any young person aged 10-18 can sign up anonymously online. No waiting lists, no thresholds. Free webinars for professionals supporting young people, showcasing how Kooth.com can offer them support.Launch of the new Learn My Way learning platformMultiple dates and times, via Zoom. Book your free tickets via Eventbrite.If you’re already using Learn My Way to help people to learn basic digital skills, join this session to find out about the new platform, its key features, and differences from the previous version. Reaching and engaging people who aren’t onlineWednesday 19 April at 11am, online. To book your free ticket visit the Online Centres Network website.How do you reach and engage people who aren’t online? In this interactive session from the Online Centres Network will give examples of how organisations have successfully reached and engaged digitally excluded people and give tips for organisations that want to improve their reach.Online Centres Network meet-up: supporting people with chaotic livesThursday 27 April, 1pm, online. Book your free ticket via the Online Centres Network website.Bringing together partners interested in talking about providing digital inclusion support to people with experience of homelessness and/or substance abuse. |
| Tools and resources The impact of data poverty on access to healthcare from Data Poverty APPGIn March the Data Poverty APPG held a panel session focussing on how access to, and the efficiency of, the UK’s healthcare systems are affected by data poverty. Read the minutes at the Data Poverty APPG website.The role of councils in tackling digital exclusion report from The Local Government AssociationThe Local Government Association commissioned DMS Research & Consulting to explore the links between various types of disadvantage and the availability and usage of digital infrastructure, and to consider the role of councils in tackling digital exclusion. Read the report at the LGA website.Supporting digital inclusion in health care report from The Kings FundA series of reports exploring people’s experience of using digital services and what can be improved, after speaking to people with lived experience and service providers to understand the issues and what might help improve digital inclusion.Read the reports at The Kings Fund website. |
| How you can help the Digital Inclusion Network Offer to speak at one of the network meetings Help us set up focus groups with service users Tell us about any training you can offer Share case studies and stories of digital inclusion and exclusion Work in partnership with others Host a meeting Promote the Digital Inclusion Network to your contacts Mention what we are doing on your social media channels Share this newsletter |
| We’re keen to hear from any organisations delivering in Humber and North Yorkshire to people who may find themselves digitally excluded. We will work with you on the barriers to digital inclusion tailoring our support and signposting to your particular needs. We are really keen to hear your feedback on this newsletter particularly if you take an action based on something you read in it. Newsletter contributions are welcome. To find out more, contact us. |