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Building a Digitally Inclusive Powys for Better Health and Wellbeing

10% of the population of Powys are not online, compared to a national average of 7%.

This means there are citizens who don’t have the access because of a lack of a device, poor or non-existent connectivity, or don’t have the skills or confidence to use digital technology. Approximately 22% of the population lack skills in at least one of the 5 areas of basic digital skills. Access to many essential services, including health, is now online, so many people in Powys are unable to access basic services because they are digitally excluded.

This project, which is funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund, is actively increasing levels of digital inclusion in Powys. The aim is to break down barriers hindering residents from engaging in employment and education by offering them a suite of direct digital inclusion interventions.

This includes: 

  • Personalised Digital Support: Offering one-on-one digital inclusion assistance within the community. This encompasses basic digital skills, access to public services, and digital health literacy, aligning with the launch of the NHS Wales app. 
  • Digital Inclusion Training Opportunities: Providing training sessions at community venues, featuring drop-in support and courses to enhance digital inclusion skills. 
  • This initiative will benefit individuals in Powys who find themselves digitally excluded due to factors such as: 
  • Skills and Basic Digital Literacy 
  • Financial Constraints: Addressing poverty-related challenges, including the inability to afford access to technology, hindering online interactions with services like banking and energy suppliers.
  • Healthcare Access
  • Social Isolation and Loneliness

This inclusive approach is targeted towards but not limited to: 

  • Older people 
  • People with disabilities or long-term health conditions 
  • People who are financially excluded 
  • People with lower educational attainment 
  • People in rural areas
  • Socially isolated and lonely people
  • Homeless people

We offer a range of drop-in sessions, workshops, and essential skills courses. These include sessions on online safety, shopping safely online, history and reminiscence, job-seeking, online health and wellbeing resources, basic tablet and computer familiarisation and social media awareness. 

We work with social housing, the local authority, libraries, the third sector and any groups that have a digital inclusion need. We deliver training at community venues and can set up bespoke courses to meet your digital inclusion needs. 

For more information or to get involved, feel free to get in touch by emailing dcpowys@cwmpas.coop or call 0300 111 5050

Together, let’s build a digitally inclusive Powys.