In Britain: Connect digitally disadvantaged

It should be no surprise that the country most experienced in the art of knowledge sharing, with its history of town criers and the ‘sport’ of debate, would be the most vigorous adapters and promoters of new media communications breakthroughs.

The United Kingdom even has a Digital Inclusion Minister, Wayne David.

The digital revolution has seen interactive tools like Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and Twitter transform self-expression and communication, helping individuals and communities across Britain share information, explore issues and stimulate change. Yet the government frets that less than half of the Brits are taking part, and it’s probably disadvantaged people and places missing out on their own slice of cyberspace and the chance and the platform to make their voices heard.

Patrick Carter, a British labor peer, says the “field of digital dreams” can’t be achieved with a “build it and they will come” mentality; people must receive the same investment as “pipes and sites.”

Helen Milner, managing director of UK Online Centres, says, “Great infrastructures and top-notch content are meaningless if 17 million people still can’t, won’t or don’t take advantage of them. The social divide emerging between the haves and have-nots of technology cannot be fixed merely by building access or beautifying what’s accessible.”

On the other side of the digital divide
Those on the other side of the digital divide need motivation, skills and confidence more than they need megabytes, she said.

Those at the forefront of the phenomena are set to light a way for those flailing in the wake of the new media wave, thanks to a new ‘Beacon’ scheme from UK Online Centres.

The new media the leaders are speaking of are community and social media which encompasses community Web sites, blogs, forums, videos, digital galleries and community radio.

These media bring local people together to generate their own ideas and content, and improve their lives and communities in the process.

The need to boost engagement in new technologies is gathering considerable momentum within government, and is seen as a way to unite isolated communities and involve local people in the control of local issues.

Hazel Blears’ Empowerment White Paper last July announced the creation of Digital Mentors to support digital content creation in deprived communities.

The UK Online Centre’s Community Media Beacons kick-started that work across the 6,000-strong UK Online Centres Network. The idea of the Community Media Beacon is to get the centers already leading the way in this area to share their tips and experiences with the rest of the UK Online Centres Network in order to inspire more projects, and eventually get different online communities working together.

Centers were invited to apply to become beacons, and 10 winners were picked from across the country for their innovation and success in establishing and supporting community media initiatives. In January they were officially awarded Community Media Beacon status at a special ceremony.

In Durham, England, where tourist information boasts a city (and county) where you can “stop your workday world and get off,” a project designed to raise the educational aspirations and achievements of Durham’s young people through information and communication technology (ICT) has been hailed a success in promoting greater social inclusion by Inclusion Minister David.

The Inclusion Minister saw first hand the “Aspirations Begin at Home Project” which aims to raise education standards and help young people achieve their dreams for the future. During the visit, he also discussed other current and planned projects designed to promote digital inclusion.

The “Aspirations Begin at Home Project” has already helped install computers and broadband connectivity in around 300 homes, enabling over 900 people to gain access to a PC and encouraging more families to engage in their children’s learning.

As well as focusing on young people, the project has evolved to help adults develop IT skills through the introduction of flexible and adaptable broadband Internet and comprehensive training schemes.

In recognition of its work in this field, the District Council has won three Beacon Council Awards and in 2003 it was awarded Beacon Council Status for its work on social inclusion through ICT.

Online Centre Network in place since 2000
The UK Online Centre Network was set up in 2000 with money from the Department for Education and Skills Capital Modernization Fund and the New Opportunities Fund. The Centre Network is now managed by a Ufi (University for Industry) team which is working to develop a valuable and sustainable network.

Originally set up to provide public access to computers, the role of the Centres has evolved and they now play a strong role in exploiting information and communication technology to develop skills and confidence, achieve social inclusion and create stronger communities.

This service is now available at http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/ and will become part of the new Adult Careers and Advancement Service, being launched in 2010.

Compiled from information provided by Abi Stevens, UK Online Centres.