Terry Price: Digital Gateway Seminar

Communities 2.0
Project, ERDF and Assembly funded, works across 30% wards in convergence areas
Delivery partners Wales Cooperative Centre, PAVS, Carmarthen County Council, GEECS from Uni of Glamorgan and Novas Scarman
2 strands – digital inclusion and social enterprise

the final frontier – using technology to get organised
Digital Exclusion now usually defined as:
“ Not getting online”
- for whatever reason

How many people?
In Wales it is estimated 34% of adult population are digitally excluded
700,000 people
Over 5% worse than the UK average
Gap closing

In the London Thames Gateway
Broadband penetration is above the national average:
UK average: 29.28%
Wales average: 25.54%
London Thames Gateway: 32.71%

With some difference between boroughs
Barking and Dagenham 33.67%
Bexley 34.01%
Greenwich 34.54%
Hackney 35.75%
Havering 34.18%
Lewisham 32.47%
Newham 26.84%
Redbridge 33.43%
Tower Hamlets 26.08%
Waltham Forest 37.07%

Digital Exclusion in Wales - Who are we talking about?
Figures rise to over 60% amongst:
Older people
People with disabilities
People in social classes C2, D and E
Low income households
People with no formal qualifications
For tenants in social housing the expected figure is around 60%

The Really Scary Stuff ! !
The National Plan for Digital Inclusion estimated that conducting all public service transactions could save up to £600m a year
By 2012 the primary vehicle, not exclusive, for public service delivery will be online – the new Gov have just realised the potential!!
No doubt a “cuts” culture will start a lot of thinking in public services

Why (C2-DE 49% of UK population) users started using the internet
To stay in touch with family and friends
To access goods and services – shopping
To follow hobbies
Why not :
No access
Not interested
Don’t know how

Barriers remain the same over past few years Access: 38% Skills & Confidence: 20% Motivation: 34% “ Does the internet improve lives?” Freshminds April, 2009

Partnership is key!
We see:
Social landlords as key partners in making any real impact on digital exclusion
Seek to identify all possible local contributors to a solution
Bring together to map solutions
Identify available resources and then find the means to plug any gaps

Our practical contribution Can take many forms eg:
Affordability – sourcing refurbished kit, savings schemes, wireless broadband on estates or sheltered flats
Skills and motivation – workshops with tenants and community organisations, projects in sheltered housing - websites, story telling, DJing, archiving, how to sessions, PC building, net safety etc
Sustainability – providing ongoing technical support, developing techie skills with staff in RSLs and local volunteers, social enterprises

Set up free community Internet

Solar powered, wireless nature cam

Cob shelter – Residents clean up waste ground

Create a social network

Some fundamental questions for the next few years:
The Business Case for going online
Drivers - cost or service quality?
What to do with savings?
What about the 60% not online?
What’s the remaining off line service like?
Integration with other delivery strands?
Who asks the questions, is it one way traffic?
Can tenants put their own viewpoints?
Can we up skill staff volunteers and tenants to help other tenants?

Possible ways forward
Seamlessly integrating with other services, activities and programmes – finance inclusion an obvious link
Assessing tenants capabilities and barriers
Plan engagement and skills development programmes (not in isolation from other thing)
Equipping staff, volunteers and tenants to support other tenants
Making online communication truly 2 way – share ownership
Help tenants get better organised and share the management of the process
Creating affordable solutions to broadband and equipment purchase – social enterprises?
Ask staff and tenants what they want, make it relevant and fun!!

Further ideas http://www.digitalinclusionwales.org.uk/400288 A series of videos and live streamed workshops – just scroll down on right hand side

Terry Price: Digital Gateway Seminar

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