Communities 2.0

• Project, ERDF and Assembly funded, works across 30% wards in convergence areas

• Delivery partners Wales Cooperative Centre, PAVS, Carmarthen County Council, GEECS from Uni of Glamorgan and Novas Scarman

• 2 strands – digital inclusion and social enterprise

the final frontier – using technology to get organised

Digital Exclusion now usually defined as:

“Not getting online”

- for whatever reason

How many people?

In Wales it is estimated 34% of adult population are digitally excluded

700,000 people

Over 5% worse than the UK average

Gap closing

In the London Thames Gateway

• Broadband penetration is above the national average:

• UK average: 29.28%

• Wales average: 25.54%

• London Thames Gateway: 32.71%

With some difference between boroughs

• Barking and Dagenham 33.67%• Bexley 34.01%• Greenwich 34.54%• Hackney 35.75%• Havering 34.18%• Lewisham 32.47%• Newham 26.84%• Redbridge 33.43%• Tower Hamlets 26.08%• Waltham Forest 37.07%

Digital Exclusion in Wales - Who are we talking about?

Figures rise to over 60% amongst:• Older people• People with disabilities• People in social classes C2, D and E• Low income households• People with no formal qualifications• For tenants in social housing the expected

figure is around 60%

The Really Scary Stuff ! !

• The National Plan for Digital Inclusion estimated that conducting all public service transactions could save up to £600m a year

• By 2012 the primary vehicle, not exclusive, for public service delivery will be online – the new Gov have just realised the potential!!

• No doubt a “cuts” culture will start a lot of thinking in public services

Why (C2-DE 49% of UK population) users started using the internet

•To stay in touch with family and friends

•To access goods and services – shopping

•To follow hobbies

Why not :

•No access

•Not interested

•Don’t know how

Barriers remain the same over past few years

Access:38%

Skills & Confidence:

20%

Motivation:34%

“Does the internet improve lives?”Freshminds April, 2009

Partnership is key!

We see:• Social landlords as key partners in making

any real impact on digital exclusion• Seek to identify all possible local

contributors to a solution• Bring together to map solutions• Identify available resources and then find

the means to plug any gaps

Our practical contribution Can take many forms eg:

• Affordability – sourcing refurbished kit, savings schemes, wireless broadband on estates or sheltered flats

• Skills and motivation – workshops with tenants and community organisations, projects in sheltered housing - websites, story telling, DJing, archiving, how to sessions, PC building, net safety etc

• Sustainability – providing ongoing technical support, developing techie skills with staff in RSLs and local volunteers, social enterprises

Set up free community Internet

Solar powered, wireless nature cam

Cob shelter – Residents clean up waste ground

Create a social network

Some fundamental questions for the next few years:

• The Business Case for going online• Drivers - cost or service quality?• What to do with savings?• What about the 60% not online?• What’s the remaining off line service like?• Integration with other delivery strands?• Who asks the questions, is it one way traffic?• Can tenants put their own viewpoints?• Can we up skill staff volunteers and tenants to help

other tenants?

Possible ways forward

• Seamlessly integrating with other services, activities and programmes – finance inclusion an obvious link

• Assessing tenants capabilities and barriers• Plan engagement and skills development programmes (not in

isolation from other thing)• Equipping staff, volunteers and tenants to support other tenants• Making online communication truly 2 way – share ownership• Help tenants get better organised and share the management of

the process• Creating affordable solutions to broadband and equipment

purchase – social enterprises?• Ask staff and tenants what they want, make it relevant and fun!!

Further ideas

http://www.digitalinclusionwales.org.uk/400288

A series of videos and live streamed workshops – just scroll down on right hand side