Three older adults sit at a table by a window, using a smartphone and tablet together. Connecting at their North Yorkshire Community Hub, they share smiles as bright daylight streams in. A mature woman with glasses and a younger woman working together at a laptop, with two men blurred in the background. Create a Digital Support ServiceDigital inclusionTrain digital champions and bring digital inclusion into the heart of your organisation

Help reduce digital exclusion

Help more people get online with confidence

Digital access and skills are increasingly important for everyday life. This FREE programme is designed to help organisations provide trusted, local support for people who need help using technology and online services.

The focus is on developing a sustainable local network of digital support – training a team of digital champions who can help people in the community build their confidence and overcome any barriers they face when trying to access online services and support.

Delivered by North Yorkshire Council and Community First Yorkshire, with funding from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, the programme offers practical support, training and resources for participating organisations.

Digital champions in action: Thirsk Library

Hear how funding helped deliver a digital project in Thirsk Library, and what that meant for local residents.

Who is it for?

Designed for our sector

This programme is designed specifically for community, voluntary and public sector organisations in North Yorkshire.

  • Organisations working with older people

  • Organisations working with families

  • Organisations working with job seekers

  • Organisations working in rural areas

  • Organisations working with disabled people

  • Organisations working with other groups at risk of digital exclusion

What’s involved?

What will you receive?

Free training

Trainees have the chance to:

  • complete nine core online modules
  • receive specialist skills training
  • access a library of specialist tools and resources.

Practical support

The programme will help to establish a new digital support service or strengthen your existing work. You can sign up knowing we will be with you every step of the way.

Technical advice

You will get detailed advice on the technology available, including how to ensure accessibility. Key themes will include:

  • Devices and equipment
  • Connectivity
  • Assistive or specialist technology.

What we ask in return

Set your own targets

Tell us how many digital champions you aim to train and how many people you expect to support.

Finish the training

Ensure that trainees complete all nine of the short online modules.

Tell us your results

Provide basic monitoring data at the end of the programme in March 2027.

Ready to get involved?

Participation in this programme is available free of charge until March 2027.

Whether you’re looking to establish a new digital support service or strengthen existing work, we’d love to hear from you.

To discuss the programme and how it could benefit your organisation, please contact:

Michael Fletcher at Community First Yorkshire

or Paddy Chandler at North Yorkshire Council

Our partners

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