Cornwall Council’s Digital Champion Scheme Helping Residents Learn IT Skills

A new scheme helping people across Cornwall get online is being described as life-changing by those involved.

Helping People Gain Confidence and Skills

Set up by Cornwall Council’s Digital Inclusion team, the scheme is working with over 100 organisations across the county to support residents in learning valuable digital skills. More than 300 Digital Champions have already signed up to help, with over 1,000 repurposed devices loaned out so far.

According to the council, figures from 2019 revealed that 13% of people in Cornwall had never used the internet – that’s about 45,000 residents.

Council Leader Leigh Frost said:
“We’ve now got over three hundred Digital Champions in more than a hundred organisations across Cornwall, and have loaned out over a thousand devices.”

Changing Lives at St Petroc’s

At homeless charity St Petroc’s, the support has already made a big difference. Service manager Ben Hawke said:
“We’ve had some real success stories where people have come in with a real lack of knowledge but have really taken to it.”

One of those helped was Aaron, who said:
“I’ve wanted to do stuff like this for years, but I’ve never known how to go about it. So, with the equipment now that’s helped me to do a bit of editing, I’m looking at college now to do a photography course and hopefully set up my own business.”

Ben added:
“I think it genuinely has changed lives, given people the confidence to improve their digital skills.”

Focusing on Those Who Need It Most

The scheme is currently focusing on people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, physical disabilities, sensory loss and long-term health conditions. Older people, informal carers and young people transitioning from children’s to adult services are also among those being supported.

Leigh said Aaron’s experience shows how much of a difference this kind of support can make:
“Aaron’s story highlights just how much these sorts of services can have a positive impact on people’s lives. The way technology is used nowadays means even more of the things we do, like booking doctor’s appointments, require some knowledge of the internet, not to mention a device to be able to access it.”

“It’s so important that we do all that we can to support people in this way to help reduce inequalities and reduce social isolation. By working with organisations already supporting Cornwall residents we can make best use of those existing connections, so that more people can access the support they need and increase their independence.”

Organisations Urged to Get Involved

Cornwall Council is calling on other businesses and organisations to come forward to see how they can support their clients and customers with digital training.

More information, including how to register interest, can be found on Cornwall Council’s digital inclusion pages.