News
4th November 2024
Following the success of Sunderland’s Get Online Week 2023, organisations across Sunderland hosted a series of events this Autumn as part of the Good Things Foundation’s annual Get Online Week, which runs across the UK.
Research indicates that 1 in 3 people in Sunderland are at risk or have faced some form of digital exclusion, with barriers to going online ranging from lack of devices and broadband connectivity to financial constraints and limited digital confidence.
As Sunderland advances towards a better-connected future, we are committed to ensuring that no one and nowhere is left behind, and enabling residents across Sunderland to develop the essential skills needed to navigate online.
To combat these challenges, Sunderland hosted a range of free events throughout Get Online Week to champion digital inclusion across the city.
Get Online Week aims to equip individuals with vital digital skills and resources. We hosted over 60 events across different areas of Sunderland, with sessions designed to help residents build confidence and explore online spaces in a friendly, supportive setting. Residents were invited to drop in for hands-on support with computers, tablets, and other devices.
Local events also invited residents to drop off their unused digital devices as part of Sunderland City Council’s Donate Devices campaign. This campaign highlights the council’s commitment to making technology more accessible and bridging the digital divide within Sunderland.
The week also featured the launch of a new Digital Health Hub at Space4 in Houghton, adding another essential location where local residents can gain access to Wi-Fi, digital devices, and face-to-face support.
Sunderland City Council’s dedicated volunteers played an instrumental role in creating new Digital Health Hubs at Space4 and Roker Life. Volunteers Steven Piercy, Chris Dodd, Steve Hanby, Conor Sutton, and Connor Vipond provided essential technical support to set up digital spaces and enhance connectivity. The team began by assessing the current computer setups and usage at these hubs, then designed a flexible IT blueprint which can be adapted to fit other spaces. Volunteers Chris and Steve returned to implement these plans, creating a safe, secure, and inclusive online environment for all.
Laura Lynch from Roker Life praised the impact of these efforts, saying: “The team helped to set up ‘kiosk mode’ on our client laptops to ensure that any personal data is wiped after each use, helping to keep learners safe. We were also struggling with setting up Wi-Fi printing and they fixed this for us. Nothing was too much trouble, and the team worked quickly through our issues, leaving step-by-step guidance notes so that we can rectify issues ourselves in the future. It was great to have people with the IT ‘know-how’ onsite.”
The success of Get Online Week 2024 is a testament to the dedication of volunteers and residents alike, who are helping Sunderland bridge the digital divide and build a more connected future.
If you’d like to learn more about accessing digital support through Sunderland’s digital inclusion programme, or find your nearest Digital Health Hub, visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/goonlinesunderland.
Interested in making a difference? Sunderland City Council is always looking for residents to volunteer and help others gain digital confidence. To find out more, email nicol.mcconnell@sunderland.gov.uk.