Digital hub roll out aims to make Cambridgeshire people 'happier and wealthier'
The scheme looks to tackle digital exclusion
New 'digital hubs' are to be set up across Cambridgeshire to get more people online.
Venues such as village halls, community centres and church halls will offer services like free Wi-Fi, devices and support with building skills to help tackle digital exclusion.
Grants are being used to allow up to six digital hubs in each district across Cambridgeshire and up to 12 in Peterborough.
Councillor Ros Hathorn, chair of the environment and green investment committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said the scheme will help people in the most rural communities.
“Especially in rural areas that don’t have access to venues like libraries, or don’t have a typical high street, these communities also need somewhere they can access digital inclusion support locally without needing to travel far or spend money," she said.
"These hubs won’t just help people build digital skills, they’ll also offer a vital connection point for people on lower incomes to job hunt, manage their finances, or simply stay in touch with friends and family."
'Happier, healthier and wealthier'
The scheme, led by Connecting Cambridgeshire, will provide small grants to community organisations to enhance their spaces with digital infrastructure and become access points for digital inclusion support.
Led by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, it will allow people to get guidance on how to use devices like a laptop or smartphone in order to not miss out on key services, job opportunities and healthcare support.
Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said the programme will help more people feel "happier, healthier and wealthier.
"By turning trusted places like village halls and community centres into local digital hubs, more people will be helped to get online - close to home, and with real support."
Those who manage a local community space can apply to become a digital hub online.
The digital hubs scheme will run until the end of the 2025-26 financial year.