Did you know that nearly a third of all Dorset Council residents are digitally excluded in some way?
This could be because people cannot afford broadband or devices, poor internet speeds or a lack of digital skills.
Here at Digital Dorset we know just how important being able to get online is.
The pandemic highlighted our reliance on the digital world and the huge advantages it can give people.
And more and more important frontline services are now online – and this is only going to increase.
Therefore, it is a very worrying statistic that 31% of our residents are excluded or partly excluded from the digital world.
Tackling digital exclusion is a key priority and we have a number of initiatives to help:
Improving digital skills
Shopping, requesting a prescription, checking your bank statement, paying bills, filling in forms – these are just a few of the things we can now all do online.
But what if you have never shopped online or wouldn’t know how to use online banking?
In Dorset we have an amazing team of volunteer digital champions for whom no problem is too big or small.
They can help people set up email accounts, guide them through ordering groceries online and train them on how to use an online banking app.
Our champions can also help people learn to use any device.
The team of volunteers run regular sessions in libraries and community centres and can also give advice over the phone via our Digital Hotline on 01305 221048 (open Mon-Fri, 10am-12 noon). For more details go to: Get online with our volunteer Digital Champions – Dorset Council
Get online
Our Digital Doorway scheme helps get digitally excluded people online.
We are currently assessing more than 100 applications for free tablets or laptops plus up to two years’ worth of data from people that are digitally excluded.
In addition, every person that receives one of our devices is offered support and training on how to use their new device from a volunteer digital champion.
The scheme was opened to those who are 18 or over, live in the Dorset Council area and don’t have access to their own device or data.
Get trained in digital and help others
We offer an Embedded Digital Champion training programme for anyone in Dorset who works with members of the public.
You do not have to be a technical whizz to be a great champion but you do require basic digital skills.
This free and fun training will not only help people improve their own digital skills but it will also mean they can help their customers/users access more services online.
To find out more what it is to be an Embedded Digital Champion and to book yourself on to one of our free training programmes, email edc@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Become a skilled fibre engineer and help improve Dorset’s broadband offer
Dorset Council has been awarded £20,000 towards developing a pilot training programme for fibre engineers and help boost broadband provision in the county.
Nationally 63% of premises now have gigabit capable broadband whereas in Dorset the figure is just 15%.
One of the factors affecting this is a lack of fully trained fibre engineers.
If you are interested in training to be a fibre engineer, or if you are an organisation that would like to join the project, email connectingdorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for more information.
Join us and help improve Dorset’s digital skills
The Dorset Digital Skills Partnership is a new force to help improve the county’s digital skills.
This partnership is made up of public, private and voluntary sector organisations.
We are looking for more members to join and help Dorset’s residents and workforce have the digital skills needed to make our county a great place to live, visit and do business in.
For more information email digitaldorset@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
I have worked in communications for 25 years, first as a journalist and then in public and private sector public relations. From Southampton originally, I have lived in beautiful Dorset for the last two decades. My passion for Dorset has also turned into a passion for landscape photography. My other great loves are my family and Southampton Football Club.