Resources
Good Things Foundation [https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-network/] - Online Centres Network
A network made up of thousands of community partners in the UK with an aim of helping people gain the support and skills they need to change their lives and overcome social challenges. Being part of the network also enables access to the National Databank, [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/connectivity-devices/3] National Devicebank, training opportunities and other funding opportunities [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hWK2TL3sX_aViWcD-VgJV48Vi8S__opDwH_rqq1KseU/edit#gid=0] for digital inclusion activity.
We can offer support to register and include your organisation on our #CovConnects map to increase awareness to residents of the support available in your locality. Please contact us on CovConnectsDigital@Coventry.Gov.Uk [mailto:CovConnectsDigital@Coventry.Gov.Uk]
Digital champion training for your staff volunteers
Digital champion training can enable your team to feel more confident and skilled in supporting residents to become digitally enabled.
If you would like to learn more or request digital champion training, then please contact us on covconnectsdigital@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:covconnectsdigital@coventry.gov.uk].
You will find a number of helpful resources on the CovConnects homepage under ‘Digital skills and support’ [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cov-connects/digital-skills-support] to help you improve your own skills and provide support to others.
Essential digital skills framework [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essential-digital-skills-framework]
The essential digital skills framework defines the digital skills adults need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world. Use this to assess the digital gap within your organisation or in the communities you work with.
Adult Education
If you are interested in getting support for teaching your staff or service users digital skills, then please contact Adult Education at aesict@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesict@coventry.gov.uk].
#CovConnects
Guides and toolkits
How to embed digital skills in your support offer [https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/insights/power-up-embedding-digital-skills/]
A guide from the Good Things Foundation on how to embed digital skills in your support offer. It explains the benefits of embedding digital in services and support, shows how some organisations are already doing this and offers tips and resources to help you move forward.
Doing Digital in Later Life [https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/insights/doing-digital-in-later-life-a-practical-guide/]
An evidence-based practical guide for those working to get more older people online.
AbilityNet [https://abilitynet.org.uk/] - a digital world accessible for all
Wealth of resources and guides to enable older and disabled people to access technology. AbilityNet also provides friendly DBS-checked tech volunteers offering free IT support to older people and disabled people of any age, anywhere in the UK. You can request support via:
- Calling the helpline on 0800 048 7642 (freephone and minicom) during UK office hours
- Email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk [mailto:enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk]
Digital Inclusion Evaluation Toolkit [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-inclusion-evaluation-toolkit]
The Digital Inclusion Evaluation Toolkit is a step-by-step process that will help you to evaluate the impact of your digital inclusion project. It will enable you to prove to others how successful your project has been at creating change. It will also show you where your project could be improved so it has an even greater impact.
Essential digital skills framework [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essential-digital-skills-framework]
The essential digital skills framework defines the digital skills adults need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world. Use this to assess the digital gap within your organisation or in the communities you work with.
Health inequalities and mitigating risks of digital exclusion - Good Things Foundation [https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/insights/health-inequalities-and-mitigating-risks-of-digital-exclusion/]
Short guide aimed at policy makers, providers, and commissioners from a voluntary and community sector working in different parts of the health system in England.
Supporting people with data connectivity (Broadband and mobile data) - Good Things Foundation [https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/data-poverty-lab/supporting-people-with-data-connectivity-broadband-and-mobile-data/]
Informative guide for charities, community groups and organisations which reach and support people who are struggling to afford the internet because of poverty and the cost of living. It is especially for organisations which are not specialist providers of debt or money advice.
#CovConnects
Digital exclusion insights
Digital exclusion in Coventry [https://coventry-city-council.github.io/connected-nations/]
Here you can explore our local digital exclusion insights. This data can be explored at both a city-wide and local level, and cross-matches multiple data sources which you can explore and filter.
Digital Poverty Alliance Research & Insight Directory [https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/dpa-directory-for-research-and-insights/]
This page is designed to allow quick access to the latest reports and insights for practitioners and policy-makers.
Ofcom – The Digital Divide [https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2021/digital-divide-narrowed-but-around-1.5m-homes-offline]
This article explores how the digital divide was narrowed by the pandemic, but we still have a long way to go.
NHS Digital – What we mean by digital inclusion [https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/corporate-information-and-documents/digital-inclusion/what-digital-inclusion-is]
A summary of what digital inclusion is, what the barriers are and who is most likely to be affected.
Consumer Digital Index – Lloyds Bank [https://www.lloydsbank.com/banking-with-us/whats-happening/consumer-digital-index.html]
The Consumer Digital Index is the UK’s largest measure of digital and financial lives. It also contains the UK Essential Digital skills benchmark a measure of the fundamental tasks needed to access the online world, and the essential digital skills needed for life and work. Lloyds Bank commission this report on behalf of the Department for Education and to date over 16,000 individuals have been interviewed on the telephone or face-to-face.