Digital Inclusion

Community Learning Provider Award

Digital Inclusion, a partnership between Sandwell Adult and Family Learning and Sandwell Council, offers digital and employability courses. The programme reaches diverse groups of residents across the community to develop the skills they need for life and work.

Sandwell has the highest number of non-internet users in the UK. This has an impact on the working population, with employers finding it difficult to find applicants with digital knowledge in an area where unemployment is high at 6.3%.

The Digital Inclusion programme has included the delivery of 1,200 Chromebooks and 400 laptops to the residents of Sandwell, alongside support to ensure residents could effectively use the equipment. Learning is delivered at a range of sites across the community, including Black Country Women's Aid, Confederation of Bangladeshi Organisations and SAFS. Learners include retired people, people with learning difficulties, learners with English language needs and unemployed people.

The programme has helped residents to improve their employment prospects and well as helping them with other aspects of their day to day lives. For example, help their children with homework, book appointments and shop online. Digital classes delivered alongside ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses have helped learners understand and be able to navigate the digital world.

Priya Begum, a learner with Digital Inclusion, said: "I have completed two basics courses and have now gained the confidence to go onto an Essential Digital Skills course that will not only mean that I have a formal qualification but also that I can also now help my children with their homework. I feel confident that I can work safely online and reassured that I can keep an eye on what my children do online so I know that they are safe too."