Oldham Council’s Get Oldham Working service has successfully secured £266,084 in funding from the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to launch and deliver a new digital inclusion programme, ‘GOW Digital’.
The programme is aimed at improving essential digital skills and access to technology for residents across the borough.
The funding represents a significant investment in addressing digital exclusion in Oldham at a time when digital access is increasingly vital for employment, health, education and public services.
The programme aligns strongly with Oldham Council’s commitment to making Oldham one of the most digitally inclusive towns in the UK.
The GOW Digital programme will deliver a community-led approach to digital inclusion, focused on improving access, skills and confidence across Oldham.
The project will create two Digital Inclusion Hubs at the Get Oldham Working offices, alongside a Mobile Digital Hub.
The Mobile Digital Hub will travel across the borough and cover venues including Access Oldham, SAWN, Millennium Centre, Fatima Women’s Association, Werneth and Freehold Community Development (WFCD), and Oasis Academy.
Through the new digital workshops, residents will build essential skills and confidence, with more than 400 laptops issued to participants on completion of agreed learning activity to encourage responsible use and sustained engagement.
The programme will also train residents to become Digital Champions, each receiving one of 30 tablets upon completing their training.
The Champions will volunteer within computer-based sessions and community delivery, providing support in their own neighbourhoods and strengthening provision across both hubs and the mobile offer.
New Digital Café drop-in sessions will provide informal support, helping residents access online services, improve employability and participate fully in digital life, creating a community-led model with a long-term impact for Oldham.
