Digital Inclusion for Leeds Communities

Almost 300 people have been supported with the skills, tools and equipment they need to be active online, now and in the future, thanks to funding from the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund.

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund is a partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council 100% Digital Leeds and is funded by money raised from Leeds Digital Ball. The Fund supports Community Organisations to incorporate digital inclusion in their day-to-day work, in sustainable ways.

In 2022, 27% of the UK population had low digital capability. This means they are likely to struggle interacting with online services and are at risk of being left behind and left out from society. By supporting Community Organisations to embed digital inclusion work throughout what they do, the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund is supporting people in our communities to be active in today’s digital world.

The first round of the fund invested £50,000 in 5 Leeds Community Organisations in 2022. These organisations have delivered a range of activities including digital support clubs, one-to-one coaching and digital art workshops as well as hiring dedicated staff to support digital inclusion, setting up a data and device library and running outings for people to practice their digital skills.

During their grants, organisations were also able to access support from Leeds City Council 100% Digital Leeds. The 100% Digital Leeds team gave advice on what equipment to purchase, loan schemes, networks to join, available training and more. This additional support has enhanced the outcomes of the programme.

One organisation, Meanwood Valley Urban Farm used their grant to support their longstanding group of adults with learning disabilities who attend the farm up to four days a week as part of their Helping Out on the Farm project. Providing iPads, Meanwood Valley Urban Farm supported participants to develop their digital capabilities and confidence by using technology for everyday farm tasks. They also purchased livestreaming equipment so people who can’t attend in person can stay connected with the farm and its animals.

They said “A lot of the group are now more confident in using iPads and connecting to the internet and some are more able to fully use their mobile phones now for digital access. This has meant a number of the group are interacting with each other digitally now which is enhancing their friendships and social interactions. Some are now accessing news and events online, others have attended social activities with other groups of adults with learning disabilities for the first time.”.

Thanks to the Leeds Digital Ball, a second round of the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund opened for applications in 2023. The generosity of Leeds’ tech and digital sector meant that more than £85,000 could be invested in 10 Community Organisations to further address the digital divide. We look forward to sharing about the impact of their activities when their grants are complete.

The Leeds Digital Ball will be back in 2024, raising even more money to tackle the digital divide in Leeds. Head to the Leeds Digital Ball website for more information, and email info@leedscf.org.uk if you’d like to talk to us about supporting vital digital inclusion work across the city.