Video case study: the digital hubs project

The Digital Hubs project is an innovative approach to tackle digital exclusion across Gloucestershire. Developed by Forest Voluntary Action Forum and The Adult Transformation Team, the project’s aim is to increase Digital inclusion across the whole of Gloucestershire in a rolling programme between April 2022 and April 2023.

Each Digital Hub offers free, tailored support specific to each individual, via a specially trained Community Builder that has undergone digital champion training.

The Digital Hubs can support with the “basics”, like turning on a computer, learning the different functions of a keyboard, or getting set-up with an email account, to more advance skills such as using Apps, Microsoft Office or video calling.

Each district will have a dedicated community partner that are well connected within its community, have a strong local knowledge and understanding of the barriers people face, and a drive and passion to demonstrate how life changing it can be in becoming digital included and confident.

What can it mean to be digitally included and confident?

• Creates opportunities to become more socially connected via social media
• Connecting with friends and family from near and far via Zoom, Facetime and skype
• Making online shopping accessible that could lead to savings on shopping bills
• Safely and securely using online banking that is fast replacing our high street banks
• Better access to health interventions, referrals and making GP appointments
• Opening up hundreds of job opportunities via various job search engines such as Indeed and Glosjobs.
• The ability to access your Universal Credit Portal to contact a job coach and to update journals without the need to travel to a job centre.
• Opens up doors for self-development via online courses, videos and e-learning.

Digital Support is very much the tip of the ice burg of what is on offer. Alongside digital support, community builders are equally as passionate about forming trusted relationships, in safe community spaces, which are seen as the front door to community activities, where people become more connected and involved in their community.

Find out more about the Digital Hubs.

While addressing the barriers to digital inclusion is important to maximise opportunities for connection, and avoid the ‘digital divide’, our increased reliance on the internet and ‘social media’ can sometime have the opposite effect and cause people to feel more isolated, due to negative feedback or experiences.