Digital Inclusion
Darren HepworthNorth Lincolnshire Council
North Lincolnshire
• Population 168,300 (increase of 9% in last 10 years)
• 31,500 (18.7%) Pensionable Age 65+Yorkshire & Humber average 17.2%National average 16.9%
• Estimated 28,700 adults in North Lincolnshire lack basic digital skills to realise the benefits of the Internet(21% of working age population. BBC research for Government D.I. Strategy, April 2014)
Internal Partners
• Adult Community Learning• Customer Services• Communications team• Communities team• Children's Services• Elected Members• D.I. is part of a wider internal channel shift
group
External Partners
• Started discussing Digital Inclusion work with North Lincolnshire Homes in 2013
• Set up first 3 training locations in Feb 2014• Added 2 more in April 2014• Approaching 250 attendances so far• Job Centre & CAB to signpost to the training
sessions
Barriers
• Financial• Classroom / Teachers• Volunteer Coordination• Equipment• Learner Confidence• Security• Attendance times etc.
Training Session
Advantage of a Partnership
• Housing Association had access to small amount of funding, plus 5 tablets
• Council had access to some under capacity training rooms and equipment
• We both found volunteers• Their customers are our customers• Access to a lot of people on a daily basis to
signpost
Benefits
• More consumer choice for learners• Social interaction for the elderly• More people for marketing our services via
email & social media• Increased self service and customers using
cheaper channels• More time for face to face interaction with
those that really need it
Next Steps
• Join up with Age UK and Adult Services to provide training sessions at their community hubs
• Discuss with schools to signpost parents to training sessions
• Work with established Residents Associations• Identify other available buildings or equipment
in communities of need• Look at funding options, if any
Long Term Plans
• Volunteer led, sustainable groups• Funding for a Volunteers Coordinator• Joining learners up with our own online
services, marketing emails, social media etc.• Learners becoming volunteers• Helping 1,000+ people per year get online or
increase their digital skills
