The government is to pilot a ‘digital mentors’ scheme to help people in deprived areas use technologies such as websites, podcasts and digital photography to make their voices heard, collaborate and improve access to services.
The initiative forms part of a new action plan for digital inclusion (http://fastlink.headstar.com/action2), launched by Cabinet Office minister Tom Watson and the department of Communities and Local Government (CLG).
An estimated 17 million people over the age of 15 are not using computers and the internet, and there is a strong link between digital and social exclusion, the plan says. A proposed new charter for digital inclusion aims to tackle the barriers to citizen engagement with technology including lack of confidence, awareness, skills and support and the availability of infrastructure.
The consultation also examines the indirect benefits that can be gained from uses of technology by public bodies on behalf of the disadvantaged. It says there is a risk some parts of government are not fully exploiting the opportunities available including to integrate services across government to support complex needs and reduce the amount of contact citizens need to have with government.
In addition to the charter the consultation announces the government’s intention to establish the position of a digital inclusion champion to work independently with a taskforce of experts to provide strategic leadership and expert advice across all sectors.
Consultation on the draft action plan runs until 19 January 2009, and CLG is separately inviting tenders for organisations and consortia interested in participating in the digital mentors scheme, hosting a workshop for those interested in London on 19 November (http://fastlink.headstar.com/dm1).
