Communities@One
Social inclusion through technology
About the project
Communities @One is a new initiative aimed at helping the most deprived communities in Wales get access to new technologies so they can fulfil their social, economic and cultural potential.
Based in Communities First areas across Wales, a team of Community Brokers are working with community groups to help engage people with ICT (information and communication technologies).
The initiative aims to reach out to the people most excluded from new technologies and give them the opportunity to see what it can do for them. From using the internet for on-line shopping or looking for car spare parts, researching a family tree, keeping in contact with far away friends by email or digital story-telling to tell personal histories there are many social and economic benefits to using modern technologies. Communities @One aims to extend these benefits to the whole community and bridge the 'digital divide'.
The project will take a community led approach and respond to local needs, complementing and building on existing work. For people who can't see how new technologies fit into their lives, brokers will demonstrate the opportunities it can offer and work with them on projects that bring a benefit to their community. The brokers will provide advice on viable projects, how to make best use of existing equipment and help groups make an application for grant funding. £4.5 million will be available to help support projects until March 2008.
Background
Advances in modern technology have revolutionized the way we communicate. From mobile phones to the internet, many people use these technologies every day. But are those who could benefit most from the wave of modern technologies missing out? Whilst reading and writing are seen as everyday life skills, it's still acceptable to be scared of computers and modern technology. As well as making our lives easier and opening up opportunities, a predicted 90% of new jobs will require computer skills. This initiative is designed to ensure that our most excluded communities do not miss out. By providing opportunities to strengthen communities and develop the social economy locally, it aims to contribute towards community regeneration.
The project is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh European Funding Office and is administered by the Wales Co-operative Centre. It was developed in consultation with a range of partners including Citizens Online, The Scarman Trust, BT, BBC Wales and the Communities Directorate of the Welsh Assembly Government.
If you live in the St Cadocs and Penygarn, Thornhill or Trevethin areas of Torfaen you can contact Sarah Parker via email at sarah.parker@walescoop.com| or mobile phone on 07765 250 217 for more information.