Free digital support programmes across the East Midlands have been welcomed by the region’s mayor as the Government launches a major new drive to help people access essential online services.
Thousands of pounds have been awarded to community‑focused schemes designed to give residents the skills, confidence and tools they need to get online – from booking GP appointments on the NHS App to managing finances, applying for jobs or staying connected with family and friends.
The funding comes from the Government’s £11.7 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, which supports projects aimed at people at risk of being digitally excluded. Nationally, research indicates that 8 million adults in the UK lack basic digital skills, while 1.6 million remain offline altogether, preventing them from accessing vital services and opportunities.
Several East Midlands organisations have secured support to deliver targeted programmes tailored to local needs, including:
- Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service (CVS)
- Gedling Borough Council
- Nottinghamshire County Council
- The Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Bassetlaw – Tackling Technology Together
This community‑led programme will assist more than 500 people from marginalised groups, including those in deprived areas, carers, people experiencing frailty and individuals with mental health needs. Using local hubs, trained volunteers and tech packs, the scheme aims to build digital confidence, reduce isolation and help participants access NHS apps and better manage their health.
Gedling – Outside In: The wise kids and the whizz kids
This innovative project will bring together younger and older residents to co‑design solutions to the barriers that many face in accessing digital services. The scheme will trial practical interventions shaped directly by the community, aiming to generate new insights into tackling digital exclusion.
Nottinghamshire – Digital Inclusion Spatial Equity Analysis Mapping Project
The project will map digital exclusion across Nottinghamshire, enabling councils and local organisations to target interventions more effectively. The aim is to deliver scalable, future‑proof strategies that embed equality and help build inclusive, digitally connected communities.
Coalfields – Coalfields Game Academy
Targeting young people aged 15–19 in some of the country’s most disadvantaged former coalfield neighbourhoods, the project will use video gaming as an engaging tool to build digital confidence, improve inclusion and enhance employability skills.
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward welcomed the funding, saying:
“This investment is fantastic news for the East Midlands. Access to online services is no longer a luxury – it’s essential for education, business, and everyday life.
“Supporting the development of digital skills and employment is a cornerstone of my inclusive East Midlands Growth Plan and inclusive growth means creating opportunities for all as we build a prosperous, sustainable future.
“By supporting those digitally disadvantaged, we’re making sure our communities can thrive in a modern economy and no one is left behind.”
Digital inclusion minister Liz Lloyd has confirmed that 80 schemes across the country will be funded through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. Each organisation will report on its project’s outcomes to identify the most effective ways to help people get online, shaping national digital inclusion policy in the future.
The fund is focused on community organisations, which are best placed to understand local needs and deliver tailored support. Through these projects, the Government aims to boost employment, improve health outcomes and make everyday life more convenient by ensuring everyone can benefit from modern digital tools and services.
The East Midlands programmes are expected to make a meaningful difference for individuals who currently face barriers to online access – helping open the door to new opportunities, greater independence and improved wellbeing.
Image credit: iStock
