Charities Join Forces to Bridge the Digital Divide in Devon
A partnership of Devon charities Devon Communities Together and Wellmoor has launched a new initiative to offer free support to people in a number of Devon rural and coastal communities with everyday online tasks.
Digital Skills Devon, which is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, provides personal, tailored support for individuals who are lacking in skills and confidence in particular online tasks. What people receive help with is up to them – it could be doing an online food shop, using the NHS app to access healthcare, checking energy use or joining an online chat to connect with friends and family. People will be asked what matters to them when they apply and their support will be personalised accordingly, with up to five hours’ in-person support available.
Ben Feasey, Project Manager at Devon Communities Together which is leading Digital Skills Devon, commented: “With so much of our lives happening online it’s really important that people have a chance to learn the necessary skills and grow their confidence in the digital world. We hope that Digital Skills Devon will help people to access important online facilities and services that will make a positive difference in their lives.”
Katie Taylor, Project Manager at Wellmoor, highlights that, ‘With so many services moving online, including the NHS, it’s crucial that people get support in accessing what they need. We are really looking forward to helping those in rural areas of Devon increase their confidence with digital skills’
The support is focused on particular Devon locations (listed below) and there are other eligibility criteria in place to ensure the support is available for people who need it the most. For more information on who’s eligible and to apply for the support, contact Devon Communities Together by calling 01392 248919 or visit www.devoncommunities.org.uk/projects/digital-skills-devon.
Support is focused on the below places and their surrounding rural areas:
- Holsworthy
- Buckfastleigh
- Central Dartmoor
- Blackdown Hills
- Kenn Valley
- Bere Ferrers
- Exmouth
- North Molton
- Combe Martin
- Parracombe and Martinhoe
- Ilfracombe
- Axminster
- Okehampton and North Dartmoor
- Tiverton
For more information or support please contact Devon Communities Together on 01392 248919 or email info@devoncommunities.org.uk
