New funding will help Derbyshire residents improve their digital skills

Derbyshire County Council has approved £200,000 worth of grants, to help more people get online.

Rural Action Derbyshire will receive £100,000 to run a scheme aimed over the next two years at helping residents to get better digital skills. The organisation coordinates the Digital Support Derbyshire Network, through which voluntary and community sector partners run several programmes, that support getting people online and providing new or second-hand devices so residents can access the internet.

An additional £100,000 will also be provided to Rural Action Derbyshire over the next two years, to run a programme where voluntary, community and social enterprise groups can apply for help to support people with digital skills within their local areas.

This support will be targeted at residents who are older, more vulnerable, or may be experiencing low income, chronic health conditions or disabilities.

The new money could result in:

• More devices such as laptops and computers being gifted to individuals or charities, ensuring more residents have access to digital services
• New projects that will teach individuals digital skills and train others to become digital champions so they can help educate more people
• More organisations including foodbanks, recovery groups and youth clubs delivering support to the people they work with in local communities
• Better awareness of online safety and scams with specific marketing campaigns

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Dawn Abbott said: “Thousands of Derbyshire residents risk being forgotten as more services take a “digital-first” approach. This funding is important in helping more people access essential health and support services that are now online. It will help them to stay well for longer, ensuring better health and wellbeing outcomes.

“If they’re left without the right skills or access to digital services, then people can struggle with everyday activities like booking GP appointments, getting energy advice or managing their finances.”

The Digital Support Derbyshire Network has helped almost 6,000 residents with digital issues since April 2024. Recent funding has also resulted in 28 new projects during that time, aimed at getting people online. Additionally, the network has distributed 367 second-hand devices to people living in Derbyshire.