Digital Skills Devon

Project Impact and Legacy

Building Confidence, Connection and Independence

Digital Skills Devon demonstrated the value of locally delivered, person-centred digital inclusion support in rural and coastal communities. The project exceeded its target for individual support, helping 86 people develop the confidence and skills needed to access essential online services, stay connected with family and friends, and manage everyday digital tasks independently. Many participants reported reduced anxiety around technology, increased confidence, and greater independence in activities such as email, online forms, digital health services and online safety. 

The project also strengthened the wider support system across Devon by training 16 organisations to use the Devon Digital Skills Framework (DDSF), creating a shared approach to identifying digital support needs and helping more residents receive the right support at the right time. 

Key Achievements

• Exceeded the project target by supporting 86 residents through personalised digital skills interventions. 
• Delivered 129 one-to-one support sessions and 13 community-based events across rural and coastal Devon. 
• Trained 16 organisations to use the Devon Digital Skills Framework, increasing digital inclusion capacity across the VCSE and public sectors. 
• Improved confidence, capability and access to online services for older and digitally excluded residents. 
• Helped build stronger partnerships and a more connected digital inclusion network across Devon. 

Key Learning and Lasting Influence

One of the most significant lessons from the project was that trusted, community-based support remains essential for people facing barriers to digital participation. The project showed that practical, relationship-led support can create meaningful change and that digital inclusion is most effective when organisations work together using shared tools and approaches. 

The pilot has also left a lasting legacy. It helped strengthen the Devon Digital Inclusion Group, increased the use of the Devon Digital Skills Framework across organisations, and directly contributed to the development of Devon's first ever VCSE-led Digital Inclusion Conference, held in June 2026. The event brought together statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations to share learning, celebrate success and develop future solutions to digital exclusion across the county.

 Read the Digital Skills Devon Learning report here