Council working with community interest company Inclusive Bytes and range of local partners to increase number of residents who can access digital services 15 minutes from their homes
Funding of £70,000 from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is supporting an ambitious programme to make Oldham one of the most digitally inclusive towns in the country. With the money, Inclusive Bytes is working with local partners to encourage organisations to provide a clear digital support offer for residents.
Photo courtesy of Oldham Council
Dedicated HOOT hubs will also be created across public spaces (the name stands for ‘Hands-On Opportunities in Tech’). Residents will be able to go to these for digital support such as getting online or filling in an online form or accessing digital resources. The aim is that every resident should be able to access such a hub within 15 minutes of where they live.
The GMCA funding will also be used to promote awareness of ‘social tariffs’ – that is, cheaper broadband and phone packages available to people receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit. The aim is also to increase the number of organisations across the borough with dedicated digital champions and data banks.
At the end of January, a host of organisations attended a launch event to pledge their commitment to the scheme.
The new scheme builds on Oldham Council’s existing efforts to help those in the region who have no internet connection or need a device to access the internet. The council also recently launched the Donate IT Oldham campaign to provide vulnerable residents with refurbished devices that the public no longer use or need; this initiative is supported by Tameside Community Computers.
Cllr Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Sustainability at Oldham Council, says: ‘The launch of this initiative is a pioneering step forward for defeating digital poverty in Oldham. We have made a clear commitment today to addressing and fixing the issues that lie at the heart of challenges our residents face daily. Not having access to digital services has a day-to-day impact from health, education, work to finances and we’re grateful to be investing this funding to establish Oldham as one of the most digitally inclusive boroughs in the UK.’
Andy Powell, Co-founder of Inclusive Bytes, adds: ‘The digital divide can only be narrowed by understanding the problems that people face – only then can we empower individuals and organisations to make better use of technology. Technology isn’t for specialists; everyone can and should have access to digital support and be empowered to help friends, family and neighbours to make the most of it too.’
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