A community organisation that improves people’s lives by enhancing their online digital skills has received just over £240,000 in National Lottery funding.
Stockport-based Starting Point Community Learning Partnership runs a support programme that includes digital skills sessions, the DigiKnow helpline and a digital lending library, where local residents on a low income can borrow devices.
The group will use the new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, for an online learning platform that will allow more volunteers and local organisations to access good quality, interactive training.
The funding will also be used to create learning guides on a wide range of subjects, including how to use parking apps, ordering online prescriptions, how to spot online scams and how to stay safe when using the internet.
Starting Point is currently celebrating Get Online Week, a campaign headed by charity Good Things Foundation, which encourages community groups around the country to host events that help to bridge the digital divide.
Research from the charity shows that nearly 1 in 5 adults lack the most basic digital skills needed for everyday life, while over 1 in 20 households have no internet access and 2 million households struggle to afford it.
It’s a problem that Clara Jones, Head of Digital Inclusion at Starting Point, feels is holding many communities back from realising their potential.
She said: “These days, if you want to manage your benefits, book a GP appointment, find social activities from a local organisation, apply for a school place or search for work, a lack of digital skills can often be the first hurdle that you face.
“We know that digital inclusion doesn’t sit in silo. Those impacted by other types of poverty such as fuel and food are more likely to be impacted by digital poverty, and of course, being at risk of poverty disproportionately affects some communities.”
As well as recruiting new members of staff to do in-person training, Starting Point plans to use some of the funding to grow its army of community volunteers, or ‘digital champions’. These are people who have been upskilled through the project and can pass on their newfound digital knowledge to those in Stockport and beyond.
Clara added: “Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players. This money will enable us to share skills and empower volunteers to help friends and community groups struggling with today’s digital world. We are really delighted to have this opportunity to get more people online.”
Starting Point is one of 371 charities and community groups across Greater Manchester to have been awarded more than £9 million of National Lottery funding over the last three months*. Today it was also announced that over £122 million has been distributed to more than 2,500 community organisations across England*.
Gillian Halliwell, Head of Regional Funding for The National Lottery Community Fund in the North West, said: “We’re delighted that local groups are using our funding to strengthen communities and improve lives in our region. Their passion, creativity and commitment are making a real difference to local people’s lives, and this deserves recognition.
