The Smart London Plan – launched 2013 as overarching strategy to: Use the creative power of new technologies to serve London and improve Londoners’ lives. Set out how Londoners can drive innovation as much as technologists, investors or policy agendas to make London an even greater city. The Mayor recognises that many Londoners will be left behind if we do not tackle digital exclusion. Digitally excluded people are less able to : Access jobs and training opportunities, Access social media Make savings online. The Plan commits to delivering a pan-London digital inclusion strategy to address the many barriers digitally excluded people face.
Get Connected - AmicusHorizon’s digital inclusion project to help residents get online & benefit from the internet’s infinite opportunities. We work with the Digital Champions Network for Housing to recruit, train and support Digital Champions to help people get online in their communities. Our Digital Champions show customers how using the internet can benefit them and become part of their lifestyle. We work with Community Development Teams to set up local computer drop-in sessions where customers can receive some support and guidance from the team and Digital Champions. Available to all customers throughout the areas we cover.
Digital 300 L&Q provided basic computer skills, a PC and internet access for 300 working age residents claiming benefits. 30 five-week courses ran between Jan - May 2014 in 12 venues across London at L&Q Offices & Community Centres and UKOnline Centres. Residents who attended the courses also received: £5 travel allowance each day of attendance. Support to set-up and use an address. Advice and support on setting up an internet connection at home. Residents who completed the course received: Free recycled PC with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office. Free dongle with 12 months internet access.
Hanover provides housing for over 55s & committed to Digital Inclusion to improve residents’ wellbeing & reduce personal expenditure. #GetConnected - Pilot project providing communal WiFi, shared devices & support at over 50 locations across England. Digital Champions training & support for residents. They are supported by Hanover staff & estates have technical support from IT team. Digital Community Hubs: 2 active, 3 in development - allows community to use facilities & access lessons. Charities provide training - Age UK & Royal Voluntary Service. Increase digital engagement through activities: YouTube exercise classes, shopping clubs & family history groups.
Get Connected Promotes the benefits of being online Delivers community based ICT skills training Provides low cost internet access Provides suitable hardware for customers A diverse cross-section of our customers benefit, including supported and General Needs customers We deliver training: in the home In community centres In schemes with Broadband Sessions are delivered during the day and evening and are tailored to the needs of the scheme and individual.
Switched On - Hyde’s 3 year Digital Inclusion programme ( ) and trains 500 Hyde residents a year Free one-to-one home based training Six hours of one-to-one support at home with a tutor Tutors bring connectivity and equipment with them Hyde Digital Champions Friendly, informal support from 100 local trained volunteers (40 recruited to date) Meet in community venues and sheltered schemes Free internet access & IT drop-ins Free Wifi, computer access & weekly drop-ins at community centres Equipping Hyde front offices with computers and connectivity for residents Affordable equipment Offer refurbished laptops at affordable prices to residents Offer free laptops through jobs bursary & for communal areas in schemes
Networx – Peabody’s 14 year programme to deliver IT, computer & digital skills 200 attendees per year learn computer skills & the internet. Free training and access to equipment (PCs, laptops, iPads, tablets) to Londoners in sheltered schemes and community centres across the capital. DigiVan used for areas with no community centres & for community events Free Wi-Fi access in 3 estates Piloting Fibre Optic networks in residents’ homes to provide free internet access via the TV from October Employment and Training Programme trains over 400 Londoners a year in using computers and online skills to find jobs. Our Youth team works with hundreds of young Londoners on digital campaigns including apps, websites, films and augmented reality. The youth-led website won 2013 Nominet Award.
Orbit Group is: Delivering Wi-Fi in communal areas in 20 sheltered & supported schemes Over 250 customers signed up to Wi-Fi Over 100 people say it’s their primary way of getting online Funding and supporting community organisations & charity partners to deliver local digital skills activities Working with our major contract holders to support community investment activities, including digital skills support Working with community partners to support Digital Champion Volunteers locally and through the Digital Champions Network for Housing website Providing intensive support to individuals where they face major barriers to getting online & grants to local organisations to help them provide more access for the community Our digital inclusion approach supports our other community investment priorities: Employability, Financial Inclusion and Health & Wellbeing
2013 Pilot Residents received free tablets, Wi-Fi & different training Results 70% loved tablets 61% felt more in touch 70% shared their new skills Age No Barrier – oldest resident 92 IT Training One-to-one training at home with 4G Tablets Post-training support Charity UCanDoIT trains residents with extra needs Dementia & Vulnerability Training – for all IT trainers New App for IT trainers to highlight resident’s extra needs at home Literacy & Interpreting Services ACTIVE ONLINE – Viridian Housing’s award winning programme helps older residents learn how to use the Internet 2014 Inclusive & Holistic Nationwide Offer Trained: 2013 – 85 residents 2014 – 300 residents
We are focusing on three areas of provision: Digital Champions to provide support in the community Touch Points in our offices supported by super users Community Hubs created by working with community partners & adopt volunteer Digital Champions Since April 2014 we’ve supported over 20 working age job seeking residents to get online and comply with their JSA claims Sovereign Housing is launching it’s first ever Digital Deal in Autumn and is part of our overall community investment priorities
Affinity Sutton’s Digital Champion network was launched in July 2013, and so far has achieved: 150 residents, staff and community activists registered as Digital Champions 84 trained Digital Champions, supporting residents across the country to get online Over 1,000 individuals supported to get online 3,360 get online training sessions delivered Digital Champions are part of a wider support service open to all residents, which in 2013/14: Supported 881 people into work Supported 3,399 to access training Delivered over 8,000 financial support interventions, including debt advice, guidance and access to financial products
One of the leading digital skills providers in the UK, Digital Unite helps people to get online and enables organisations to deliver effective digital inclusion 400+ how-to guides Award-winning digital inclusion campaigns Industry forums and supplier events Hosted online platforms for national and regional networks Quality assured tutor network Online courses for Digital Champions