5 Digital Inclusion Projects We Love

5 Digital Inclusion Projects We Love

Charities are at the forefront of highlighting the inequalities of the digital divide in the UK. Through our work, we understand the positive social impact access to technology can have for charities and the people they support.  As part of our digital inclusion series, we wanted to share fantastic examples of the third sector leading the way in finding innovative solutions and creative ways to get people engaged with tech.

Running a digital inclusion project or raising awareness through a campaign is a great way for your organisation to make a real difference. Here are 5 examples of digital inclusion projects we admire:

Nobody In the Dark

What’s the project?

Nobody in the Dark is a campaign launched by a coalition of partners – Good Things Foundation, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, APLE Collective, Clean Slate and Mastercard – aiming to offer immediate support to digitally and financially excluded people in the UK, with a focus on those in poverty hit hardest by the impact of Covid-19.

They have created a new self-help portal, www.nobodyinthedark.co.uk, for those who have limited digital skills, breaking down important issues such as using online financial services and keeping your information safe and secure and offering  free, trusted support around money, security, benefits and debt. The campaign will also deliver devices, data and digital skills support to people who need it most.

You can check out their new online learning platform here: https://www.mastercard.co.uk/en-gb/vision/priceless-causes/empower/digital-financial-inclusion.html

Why we love it:

Financial management is one of the most under-addressed aspects of digital literacy. It helps people participate in society, particularly when usual methods of in-person or telephone banking are limited due to coronavirus restrictions. With online and mobile banking scams on the rise, it is critical that people can identify genuine communications and this is a great way to help people learn.

Supporting those most in need and offering practical help to boost their online confidence is a great way to tackle this challenge.

YoungScot – DigiKnow?

What’s the project?

Young Scot have recently launched the #DigiKnow campaign helping young people to build the skills and knowledge around cyber security as well as the career potential of being engaged with digital.

This project covers everything from cybercrime to fake news and social media safety – many of the most important concerns that young people have when going online. It also highlights the ever-expanding range of career paths that digital is creating in Scotland, helping young people see the potential and develop their own skills in an accessible way.

You can find out more about the project here: https://young.scot/campaigns/national/digiknow

Why we love it:

We know the vital importance of keeping yourself and your data safe online – in an increasingly mobile world and it’s vital to share this information with young people. The project’s focus on safety and security is great, as many young people are already using devices in their day-to-day lives, however may not understand the impact of what they share online as well as how to protect their personal information.

Age UK’s Technology Guides

What’s the project?

As a response to the coronavirus pandemic, Age UK saw a need for support with the basics of using tech amongst older people in the UK. Technology and devices advance at a very fast pace and Age UK wanted to support their service users to stay connected through technology.

Age UK have published free tech guides for older people around online safety and how to stay connected with friends and family through video calls and instant messaging. They have also set up a tech-specific advice line which is always open to provide support and guidance to anyone who needs help, and they also provide info for carers and family members to help grasp the basics.

Check out Age UK’s Technology Guides here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/technology-internet/

Why we love it:

Not only are these guides very accessible and easy to use, but they also provide valuable information for carers and third sector organisations that work with older people. These guides are also available to be used with screen readers and in a print and large print format which makes them even more accessible to the target group. We think this project is a fantastic response to the need to help older people stay connected with their families and health care providers during this time and help them build confidence in their skills.

Action Foundation

What’s the project?

Action Foundation kicked a new 12-month digital inclusion project in October 2020 for refugees and asylum seekers being given tablet computers and the training needed to access a wealth of empowering digital services. The long-term mission of the project is to build individual’s digital capacity and give them access to a wider range of employment opportunities.

The project aims to get over 400 people through the programme, with 50 people into employment and 160 people into further learning. The idea is to reach people who are typically excluded from these kinds of opportunities.

You can find out about the project here: https://actionfoundation.org.uk/exciting-new-digital-inclusion-project-to-get-refugees-connected/

Why we love it:

Action Foundation have drawn on their existing community partnerships to reach a traditionally  excluded group. We love that they are not only providing devices but a programme of learning and support alongside their project, but they are using tech to achieve the goal of sustainable employment. This project highlights the importance of engaging people on their level as they provide support in a vast range of languages to meet the needs of their users.

Mama Health and Poverty Partnership

What’s the project?

MHPP is a coalition of third sector organisations supporting BAME women and girls who are making the most of technology to help safeguard vulnerable people. The are hoping to offer pre-paid mobile phones inside food packages to help protect those at risk of domestic violence in the community, giving them the ability to reach out for support when they need it.

You can read more about the project here: https://mhapp.org.uk/

Why we love it:

We love that this project recognises that mobiles are a valuable way to keep vulnerable people safe and provides way to connect with others and access online support that may otherwise be monitored or controlled in a coercive or abusive relationship. Mobiles can be a lifeline for those experiencing domestic abuse, allowing them to get online discreetly, keep in touch with trusted friends or relatives and connect with local services.

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We hope you enjoyed this roundup of some of the great digital inclusion projects that are happening all across the UK and it gives you inspiration to get engaged. Check out our #MobileForGood blog series for more stories about organisations delivering a big impact.

At GoodCall, we can support your charity to deliver impact through mobile technology. We provide advice to help you make the most of your mobiles.  Get in touch with us now via our contact form or call Elaine on 07535 396 882.


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