Discover was an exciting project in Stoke-on-Trent that worked to increase digital inclusion in the city. We realised that people have different barriers to getting access to digital services and technologies. Discover Digital was led by Staffordshire University and delivered in partnership with VAST, Wavemaker, Stoke-North Big Local, Caudwell Children, The Community Foundation for Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent College, YMCA North Staffordshire, The Dove Service, Beth Johnston Foundation and Keele University. It was funded by the HM Government Community Renewal Fund, distributed through Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Discover worked to boost digital inclusion across Stoke-on-Trent by engaging with communities to identify, understand and break down barriers to digital access. Funded by the Community Renewal Fund, Discover was led by Staffordshire University in partnership with 9 local organisations. It offered meaningful digital skills training designed specifically for the most digitally excluded individuals in the community, grants to provide equipment and connectivity to individuals, grants to support grass-roots organisations in delivering their own digital inclusion projects, a Community Connector programme to amplify the voices of those most digitally disengaged, and a Digital Champions programme that provided informal digital support in the community.
Innovative approaches were used to reach right into the heart of our community, including a city centre Pop-Up Shop, Digital On Your Doorstep events in the community and on-campus, and bespoke and meaningful digital training and support across a range of community spaces.
Across the whole project, 891 individuals received digital skills support. Grants have provided 243 individuals with grants for digital equipment and connectivity, totalling £94,912.54. In addition, 14 community organisations received grants totalling £54,811 to support their own digital inclusion projects, further extending the reach of the project. 154 community voices were heard through the Community Connector Programme which helped shape the project. By listening to our communities and responding to their needs, significant progress towards understanding and reducing digital poverty in Stoke-on-Trent has been made.
Discover Digital Video Playlist