3: Digital Inclusion

Digital literacy is no longer optional, it is fundamental to accessing employment, education, healthcare, and social opportunities. Through targeted and inclusive digital skills training, Gloucestershire County Council will continue to empower residents with the confidence and capability to get online and make positive life changes.

Digital exclusion is not confined to one group or circumstance. Anyone can become digitally excluded at different points in their life. Our vision aligns with the Good Things Foundation’s 2023/24 Impact Review, which defines a Minimum Digital Living Standard as having accessible internet, adequate equipment, and the skills, knowledge, and support to engage safely and confidently with digital opportunities.

For disabled people, digital inclusion is not just about access, it is about equity. Accessible digital tools and services can empower individuals to live more independently, access essential services, and participate fully in society. Without inclusive design and support, digital platforms risk reinforcing existing inequalities and excluding those who could benefit most.

Research from the Local Government Association shows that some groups are more likely to be digitally excluded due to a range of barriers, including poverty, disability, rural isolation, and language. The shift from traditional to online-only services risks deepening this divide unless we act decisively.

Digital inclusion also unlocks flexible learning and employment opportunities. Online platforms remove geographical and physical barriers, enabling people to upskill and retrain, particularly those with mobility challenges, caring responsibilities, or living in rural areas.

This strategy sets out our commitment to delivering inclusive digital support through libraries, Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, and DigiHubs.

Collaboration with the Health and Social Care system is essential to achieving our digital inclusion goals. The NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England places a strong emphasis on digital transformation to improve patient outcomes and access to care. Digital tools, such as the NHS App, are now central to how people book appointments, access medical records, and manage prescriptions.

We will provide grants, recycled devices, and social tariff advocacy to tackle digital poverty. We will also use AI to personalise learning and identify underserved groups, ensuring that no one is left behind as Gloucestershire embraces the digital age.

A digitally inclusive Gloucestershire is vital for:

Lifelong education
Developing skills for employment
Creating meaningful community engagement
Accessing social network opportunities
Ensuring online safety
Accessing health and social care
Social inclusion opportunities for those unable to attend face-to-face events
Managing finances and household bills
Benefiting from exclusive online deals
Accessing local authority services
Opening up the opportunities presented by using AI

10) Some individuals find digital communication overwhelming and confusing. While many have friends and family to help them get online, those without support networks miss out on the opportunities made possible by digital connectivity.

11) Helping individuals achieve a minimum digital living standard empowers them to communicate, connect, and engage with opportunities safely and confidently (Developing a New Benchmark: A Minimum Digital Living Standard, GOV.UK). Many internet users engage in only a narrow range of online activities, reflecting a lack of confidence and interest in broader digital engagement. To help get people online, we will raise awareness of Broadband social tariffs, which, like other utility tariffs, provide reduced rates for people in receipt of welfare support.

12) Digital connectivity enhances community engagement through platforms like social media and local forums, facilitates government service delivery, and encourages greater transparency and civic participation. However, in addition to offering this access, we must complement it with digital skills and fraud and scams awareness training.

13) By leveraging the county council’s library network and VCSE organisations, we can deliver digital inclusion support through workshops and one to one session in accessible community venues and, when necessary, provide in-home assistance to ensure that everyone can benefit from these resources.

14) Investing in digital skills for the workforce offers significant economic advantages. Research shows that for every £1 invested in digital inclusion, there is a return of £9.48 to the economy: The Good Things Foundation: The economic impact of digital inclusion in the UK.

15) By leveraging AI-driven tools and platforms, we can personalise training programs to meet the unique needs of individuals, adapting content and pacing based on their progress and skill levels.

16) AI can facilitate more effective outreach by analysing data to identify underrepresented groups and tailoring communication efforts to engage them meaningfully. For example, automated chatbots can provide instant support and guidance, ensuring immediate assistance for those seeking help with digital tools or services.

17) Furthermore, AI can assist in monitoring the impact of our initiatives, allowing us to gather insights and make data-driven adjustments in real time. By incorporating AI into our approach, we enhance digital training and support and empower individuals with the skills to navigate an increasingly digital world, opening doors to new opportunities and enabling a more connected community.

18) We will encourage digitally capable businesses to adopt Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies that support smaller enterprises and individuals, particularly those facing digital barriers, through mentoring and skills-sharing. By establishing a culture of collaboration, we aim to strengthen Gloucestershire’s business ecosystem and communities.

19) The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 reported that 50% of businesses and of charities experienced cyber breaches in the previous year. Phishing Attacks dominate with 84% of businesses and 83% of charities reported phishing incidents, followed by impersonation fraud (35% of businesses, 37% of charities) and malware attacks (17% of businesses, 14% of charities).

20) Investing in strong cybersecurity measures is essential for protecting organisations in Gloucestershire. By helping organisations identify and mitigate cyber threats, we can shield the local economy from the damaging impacts of cyberattacks, ensuring long-term stability and resilience.

Proposition:

To enable a digitally inclusive Gloucestershire that will bolster economic growth and enhance community resilience and social equity.

We will support and deliver the following:

Network Access

Broadband Availability: Provide clear information on broadband options, helping residents make informed decisions about connectivity.
Advocacy for Social Tariffs: Promote affordable data and device access through social tariffs to combat digital poverty. Digital Poverty Alliance
Equipment and Connectivity Grants: Offer grants to help low-income individuals access devices and high-speed internet.
Digital Device Recycling Schemes: Support initiatives that refurbish and redistribute IT equipment to reduce e-waste and improve access.

Skills & Support

Accessible Training and Support: Deliver inclusive digital skills training at varying levels, in multiple languages, and at convenient community locations.
Expand Library-Based Support: Enhance digital inclusion services in all Gloucestershire libraries to ensure accessible, localised help.
Volunteer Development: Invest in recruiting and training Digital Inclusion Volunteers to build a strong community support network.
Support for Vulnerable Groups: Provide tailored digital support for young people from low-income families, care leavers, asylum seekers, disabled people, and others in vulnerable situations.

Community Engagement & Outreach

Targeted Outreach: Direct resources to individuals and areas most affected by digital exclusion.
Community Awareness Campaigns: Launch initiatives to inform underrepresented groups about digital resources and training opportunities.
Analyses local data: Identify rural area types and digital access gaps.
Feedback Loops: Engage regularly with digitally excluded individuals and stakeholders through surveys, focus groups, or informal discussions to refine support strategies.

Partnerships & Mentoring

VCSE Collaboration: Fund VCSE organisations to deliver community-based digital inclusion support.
Youth Organisation Partnerships: Work with youth groups to build digital skills among young people, especially those not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
Develop CSR-Led Digital Inclusion Initiatives: Promote and encourage digitally capable businesses to mentor smaller enterprises and individuals facing digital barriers. This approach will establish a collaborative culture that strengthens Gloucestershire’s economy and communities.
Community Events: Host local events offering mentoring, business support, and digital literacy guidance.
Incentivise Mentorship: Encourage employee participation in mentoring through incentives like paid volunteer hours or recognition.
Showcase Success: Promote stories of successful mentoring and inclusion efforts to inspire wider participation.
Strengthen cybersecurity resilience: By supporting SMEs and charities in Gloucestershire to adopt robust digital protection measures. In response to rising threats, such as phishing, impersonation fraud, and malware, we will promote awareness, training, and access to tools like Cyber Essentials to safeguard organisations and the communities they serve.
Assess impacts on rural communities: Consider economic, demographic, and service access differences.

Digital Innovation