£250,000 to be spent on helping people get online in Suffolk
A new fund has been announced to boost digital literacy in the county
A new fund has been launched to help get people gets to grips with computers and get online.
The £250,000 Digital Inclusion Fund will support people across the county at risk of being disadvantaged by not being able to access things like online banking and shopping.
It will by run as a collaboration between Suffolk County Council, the district and brbough councils and Suffolk Community Foundation.
According to the Digital Poverty Alliance, 1 in 5 young people who were learning at home during the pandemic did not have access to a device like a laptop.
2.5 million people are currently behind on their broadband bills.
Councillor Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for Equality and Communities, said:
“I’m delighted to launch the new Digital Inclusion Fund for Suffolk. Through this fund we can support projects which will make a real difference in increasing digital inclusion in our county.
“From online shopping to applying for a bus pass, we are moving more and more towards digital solutions in our everyday lives.
"We want to make sure people are not left behind, whether that’s through improving access to more affordable broadband, building vital life skills or providing additional support.
“This is an exciting opportunity to support more people in Suffolk to benefit from digital technology and work to address poor health outcomes linked to digital exclusion.”
Organisations who want funding to help tackle digital exclusion in Suffolk are being urged to apply here.