Bridging the Digital Divide

The 'digital divide' was first recognised as a major challenge over 20 years ago, but persists as a long-standing inequality: per the BBC Media Literacy study cited in the practice's account, 21% of people can't use the web, 14% have no internet access at all (so 7% have access but don't use it in ways that benefit them), and over 53% of people who lack basic digital skills are aged over 65 (69% are over 55). The divide is understood to stem from four factors: physical gaps in access and connectivity; the monetary cost of access; a lack of skills and digital literacy; and the role of motivation, attitude and interests.

'Bridging the Digital Divide' was a pilot aiming to break down barriers to digital and social inclusion among Housing Association tenants and to support and develop tenants' self-confidence, digital skills, access to online services, and further learning opportunities, teaching the Basic Digital Skills required to safely use the internet.

A partnership between Clanmil Housing Association, the Department for Finance and Personnel's Digital Inclusion unit, and Supporting Communities Northern Ireland piloted the use of 'Breezie' tablets - the first project of its kind in Northern Ireland - which strip away clutter, jargon and confusion from the internet. Each participant's tablet was pre-configured and tailored to them based on an intake form, with apps already set up and remote access for the project coordinator to add new content. Training took place in common areas of housing schemes that already had Wi-Fi access, delivered by an experienced hired trainer, with the learning directed by the coordinator and the groups involved (including some participants with dementia), focusing on individual and community empowerment to tackle the motivation/attitude barrier.

The pilot reached 17 participants and, per the practice's own account, appears to have been effective with hard-to-reach groups, with activity described as very person-centred, creating content related to attendees.