Digital Inclusion in the Highlands and IslandsIrene Mackintosh, Citizens Online

•An introduction to Citizens Online•What we have done•What we’ve found out•Where we’re heading to…•How you can get involved

The next 45 minutes (brace yersel’)

The internet is for everyone

Highlands and Islands since 2009

What we really, really care about…

www.hie.co.uk

Hebrides

How we’ve been working

Our wily ways…

Community Groups

Roll, VT!

Learner voices, digital champions

Our stats for three years

• Number of individuals made aware of the benefits of digital inclusion, through presentations, workshops and open days : 9950 

• Number of learners undertaking 4+ hours of study: 1500

• Over 300 community groups engaged • Train the trainer: 30 sessions (within the

last year)

• Demographics have shifted from older people to unemployed.

• For older learners the links to independent living still need to be made clearer.

• 80% of unemployed learners say their Internet skills are helping them search for work and 13% have found work.

• Confidence at the end of the session determines success of being online 1 year later.

• 55% encouraging friends and family to use the Internet. • In the Highlands – 67% were online after 12 months, all

regular users. • 55% had no ongoing support.

What we’ve found

We need a ‘more than this’ approach

• Internet uptake has levelled off • People moving offline, after previously

being online.  • Low uptake of e-Government and banking

compared with Europe • Being online is more than a binary activity • Technology constantly evolving • No clear local lead to ensure that all

partners work to a common strategy

Community Issues

• Insufficient capacity to engage learners • Community access points are under

threat, not in area of greatest need • Motivation for offline individuals is low • Learners directed to training without any

assessment of their existing skills or additional needs

• Training doesn’t meet need • Lack of ongoing informal support

available

Systemic, baby!

Our Digital Zone - Current Offerings

• Skills Sessions and modelling

• Digital JOY for third sector groups (volunteers and staff)

• Train the Trainer and support for anyone offering digital inclusion activity

• Systemic model

Thanks for hingin’ aboot.Stay in touch! @irenewarnermack