Torbay Digital Inclusion Network
Helping people get online, stay online and improve online
The Torbay Digital Inclusion Network brought together statutory, voluntary, community and business partners to support people who were at risk of being digitally excluded.
The project recognised that many people were being asked to use online services for health, care, wellbeing, banking, shopping and social connection, but not everyone had the skills, confidence, equipment or support to do this safely.
Although the network is no longer running, the work helped build a clearer picture of digital exclusion in Torbay and informed local thinking about how partners could work together to support vulnerable people.
What the project did
- Brought together local partners to coordinate digital inclusion support
- Created a shared network offer, showing what support was available locally
- Promoted a simple model: get online, stay online and improve online
- Supported a community-led, wrap-around approach based on people’s needs
- Helped identify people most at risk of digital exclusion
- Produced a detailed Torbay Digital Inclusion feedback report
- Shared learning to help shape future digital inclusion planning.
Impact and outcomes
- Improved understanding of digital exclusion in Torbay
- Highlighted the need for clear, practical and local digital support
- Showed that access to devices alone is not enough – people also need confidence, safety and ongoing help
- Strengthened links between community organisations, digital support providers and local services
- Supported a coordinated approach to helping people access online services
- Helped inform future digital inclusion work, including Digital Health Devon and wider community support.
