Recent research by the CIoS Digital Skills Partnership reveals that 9% of adults in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have never used the internet, surpassing the national average of 6%. In response, a dedicated team led by Olie from the People Hub has collaborated with local organisations including Social Prescribers, Foodbank, and Jobcentre Plus to address this gap.
The course, held at the Cornwall Council office in St Austell, aimed to provide participants with foundational digital skills, enhance their confidence and improve social inclusion. Thanks to the support of the Digital Inclusion Team at Cornwall Council, which provided laptops for loan, and the involvement of Josh from Smart Working Revolution, the course was able to deliver comprehensive training in a supportive environment.
During the sessions, participants learned crucial skills such as:
Feedback from participants has been positive: John, one of the attendees, described the course as “Just perfect,” while Keith rated it as “100%.” These testimonials reflect the significant impact the course has had on improving digital literacy and confidence among those who previously felt socially excluded; all residents identified as such on registration, but have now recognised an increase in social inclusion and confidence.
All attendees have been signposted to Adult Education at Cornwall Council to continue their learning journey, and agreed that they are looking forward to using their new digital skills and confidence to support their daily activities.
The success of this initiative highlights the importance of community collaboration in fostering digital inclusion and underscores the ongoing need for such impactful programmes.
For more information on digital skills courses and support, visit Cornwall Council’s Adult Education website.
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