Coventry City Council #CovConnects programme has been shortlisted for a national award for the way it supports people to get online to ensure better outcomes for residents and communities.
The Council has been shortlisted in the Community Improvement category at the Connected Britain Awards.
The Award recognises organisations that use online services to bring people together, deliver improvements such as employment opportunities, or show how technology can be used for the common good.
The Council’s #CovConnects programme works in partnership across the public, private and voluntary sectors to enable digital inclusion and secure better outcomes for residents and communities. The project has already attracted over £850,000 in external funding and has seen #CovConnects collaborate with over 70 partner organisations to date.
#CovConnects aims to understand the barriers residents and communities face relating to digital exclusion, and works with partners to co-create sustainable person-centred initiatives which meet the needs of Coventry’s diverse communities.
In its essence, #CovConnects aims for better outcomes for residents with digital as an enabler, promoting social inclusion and equitable access to digital tools, technologies and services.
Cllr Richard Brown, Cabinet Member Strategic Finance and Resources, said: “I am delighted that the great work of the #CovConnects Team has been recognised.
“It is a wonderful project that will help people of all ages across the city in so many ways, from health and wellbeing to education and employment.
“As a Council, we feel that all Coventry residents should have equal opportunities to use digital tools, technology, and services in the right way for them, and through this work, we are taking away the barriers that can prevent that.
“It really is a One Coventry project and being shortlisted for this award is recognition of the hard work and dedication of partners from all sectors to support the people of the city.”
The Council has signed up with the National Databank to help distribute data to residents who are struggling to afford to keep connected.
Residents can access data support from 34 National Databank Hubs across city locations which include libraries, Family Hubs, the Customer Service Centre and many more community organisations.
The team has also recently launched the #CovConnects Device Bank which can help in providing a wide range of devices such as laptops, smartphones and connectivity. The devices are mostly recycled, refurbished ex-Council stock, in addition to substantial funding received from the WMCA Connected Services of over 2000 brand new devices.
The programme is easy to access for residents through the #CovConnects public website www.coventry.gov.uk/covconnects.
The Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on 20 September.