In 2011 Welsh Government statistics stated that nearly 50,000 people in the Caerphilly county borough were digitally excluded. But already that figure is down by 1,000 people thanks to a range of innovative projects to get more people online!
Many partners have been working with Caerphilly to encourage and inform people of the benefits of using modern technology. The teams work on a three pronged approach, giving people the training and skills, the equipment access and affordable broadband and have recently supported the 1000th person to be get online.
Get IT Together, in partnership with BT and Citizens Online supports older people and disabled residents to realise and reap the benefits of being online.
Come Surf With Me, a Communities 2.0 initiative, employs 3 digital inclusion officers who offer training and support across the borough, particularly to those who are out of work, enabling them to search for work online, update and email CV’s and learn IT skills to support them back into employment.
And Friends IT offer affordable equipment with home PC’s starting at £99 for those eligible to certain benefits. This includes a 90 day warranty and technical support.
Tina McMahon Community Regeneration Manager praised the projects, “Having access to the internet and word processing can benefit everyone in the family, children can research homework, parents can budget and grandparents can order shopping to be delivered to their door. For many, cost and fear are a barrier, but these schemes make getting online so much more accessible.”
With the creation of a new Digital Inclusion Network, where service providers across the borough can share and trade ideas to get more people online, Caerphilly CBC residents are getting better connected.
For more information contact Matthew Bevan, Community Regeneration Co-Ordinator 01443 864305.
To donate equipment contact Partners IT 01443 816 100.
