Celebrating 2024 Achievements: Digital Inclusion in Bury

In 2024, digital inclusion initiatives in Bury have positively impacted the community, supporting over 700 individuals through various services such as digital skills training, drop-in sessions, and tech device provision. By partnering with local libraries, community groups, and charities, we have successfully addressed some of the digital needs of the priority groups, ensuring they have the skills and resources to navigate the digital world confidently and are not left behind in the ever-advancing technology world.

Overall Results Across Digital Inclusion Delivery in Bury in 2024

• 700+ people supported across all digital inclusion services in 2024 in Bury. This includes digital skills and digital drop-ins, events, Internet accessibility and devices provision.
• National Databank is now operating from all libraries, which includes Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, and Prestwich. In 2024 libraries have gifted 250+ SIMs and 50+ have been distributed through council’s community outreach.
• 65+ devices have been distributed to residents in need, which includes tablets, laptops & Mi-Fi boxes.
• 90+ people have been supported during the Tech & Café Drop-in sessions at community centers.

8 Tech & Café Drop-ins Set up & Managed

What are Tech & Café Drop-ins?

In our Tech and Café Drop-Ins, we collaborate with local community groups and charities to provide free digital skills support to residents in familiar and comfortable environments.

These sessions typically happen once or twice a week for a couple of hours on designated days. They are facilitated by the Digital Buddy volunteer network, offering one-on-one support. The drop-in sessions are informal and flexible workshops that residents can attend without needing to make an appointment.

How have the sessions been delivered?

We have recruited 11 Digital Buddy volunteers to assist in providing support to residents in community center settings.

Our drop-ins have been offered to members of several priority groups, including older adults, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals whose English is not their first language, underemployed, unemployed, low-income families, homeless, ex-offenders, care leavers, and those living with disabilities. These groups have been identified as being at the highest risk of digital exclusion.

We have collaborated with Bury libraries and Bury VCFA to recruit volunteers, Bury Adult Learning Centre and local partners to deliver digital skills training, and third sector organisations to arrange spaces for the drop-ins and support their digital inclusion strategies.

Tech & Café Drop-ins Results

As a result, we have supported over 90 people since the Tech & Café Drop-ins began in July 2024 and have been able to direct them to additional resources.

We have assisted residents with various tasks, including browsing websites and using search engines, setting up and sending emails, shopping online (including online banking), completing online forms, using video calling apps, searching and applying for jobs online, staying safe online and setting up internet security, using digital devices, and utilising Microsoft Office products such as MS Word and MS Excel.

Additionally, we have been able to support residents’ everyday social and economic activities such as paying and managing bills online, handling Universal Credit accounts, and bidding on housing support.

Volunteer success stories: Volunteers A.S. and R.A. secured job roles as Support Workers thanks to their contributions and support as Digital Buddy volunteers. Volunteer T.A. designed a much-needed website for one of the community centers, helping the organisation expand its digital presence. Volunteer D.S. created user-friendly support materials for a community center, enabling residents to independently navigate tablet devices and the internet during and after the drop-in sessions.

What’s coming up in 2025?

The work to improve digital inclusion across the borough hasn’t ended in 2024 and we have plans to reach more communities in need of digital support in 2025. The plans include:

• Aim to set up more Tech & Café drop-ins and outreach to more community groups in all deprived & digitally excluded areas of Bury, assisting them with strategy and delivery of digital inclusion support.
• We are exploring option for digital courses to be delivered in community centers through our education and skills partners.
• We are looking into setting up a Device Refurbishment Scheme to collect donations of unused equipment, such as laptops and be able to gift them to communities and individuals in need (more details are to follow in 2025).

For more information about digital support available in Bury, courses, support for businesses and volunteering opportunities visit Help Getting Online | Bury Works Digital for All - Bury Council.