Provision of Digital Inclusion and Health Programme

The focus of the contract will be on supporting the digital inclusion of individuals by working through partner organisations and co-ordinating activities with a particular focus on working with the health and social care sector to improve the well-being of individuals through encouraging them to engage with digital technology. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the fact that many job seekers had no access to a digital device or data so were disadvantaged in the labour market, therefore a device loan scheme was established to support Communities for Work Plus participants. Using a community development approach involving outreach work and partnership working, it is possible to effectively engage people with technologies as a route into wider use of ICT. An agile body of expertise which can establish and develop strong partnerships across sectors and co-ordinate activities is envisaged. It is expected that this will be supplemented with a team of experts demonstrating best practice in engaging the digitally excluded population. It will help to plug gaps in existing provision, avoid duplication and complement any activity which may already exist. It will take into account what has worked, and not worked, in Wales and elsewhere. The programme will recognise that becoming digitally included is a continuous process requiring ongoing support, which can take a long time to go from a first time user to a position where one is able to demonstrate all five basic digital skills.