Challenging poverty with digital inclusion

Post by Georgina Bowyer, UKSPF Grants Manager at Capital City Partnership as part of Challenge Poverty week which highlights the importance of digital inclusion and provides an update on the latest work happening in the city in this area including how you can get involved.

Written by Georgina Bowyer, UKSPF Grants Manager, Capital City Partnership  

Today we’re highlighting the ongoing importance of digital inclusion in the context of Challenge Poverty Week and today’s theme of Better Investment in Life’s Essentials. 

Like so many drivers of poverty, digital inclusion has been well understood and has had successful initiatives implemented over recent years - and yet the available solutions tend to ebb and flow according to funding and can be dependent on where you live.  Despite rapid and continuous digital evolution at one end of the spectrum, there continues to be those who do not have access to the basic tools to complete essential tasks online – the latest data from Good Things Foundation has found that 7.9m adults across the UK lack basic digital skills.   

Not having a suitable device or internet connection often places individuals at a significant disadvantage whether that is in managing finances and accessing the best rates on bills; keeping in touch with a child’s school and finding health information; or navigating public transport.  At Capital City Partnership, where a lot of our work focuses on employability and skills, we frequently hear about how important digital access is for those looking for work or seeking better work.  In today’s world, we rely on digital not only to produce CVs and write job applications, but also to build networks, access training opportunities and to source advice.   

Whilst there is lots of positive work happening across the city, in recent months we have been aware that people in Edinburgh cannot always find the digital support that they need.  That is why we have been working alongside colleagues in the Edinburgh Partnership to help bring together a Digital Inclusion Working Group.  The aim of the group is to better understand the landscape in Edinburgh and to assess what might be required in order to ensure that every resident can access an appropriate digital device, adequate connectivity and the skills support that they need in order to carry out essential tasks safely.

We know that people need support across these different elements of digital inclusion and that it should not be difficult to find or navigate support, particularly given that people are often looking for support at stressful points in their lives.  In addition, some best practice principles shared by experts on the group include that digital inclusion is best delivered by or with trusted partners in the community; that drop-in and ongoing support is required to help with maintenance issues or minor problems that can otherwise set someone back; and that support should start with the needs and interests of the individual to be most effective.  

To find out more, we will shortly be issuing a survey open to anyone working on poverty prevention or alleviation in Edinburgh.  The survey asks people about their experiences of supporting people with digital inclusion and/or referring people to other organisations.  This will help to inform discussions and recommendations going forward.   

If you would like to participate in the survey, or if you are interested in joining the Digital Inclusion Working Group in Edinburgh, please feel free to get in touch with me via georgina.bowyer@capitalcitypartnership.org.