1. Digital Champions scheme introduction
David Neale

2. Background: the digital divide in the UK
18%
of Britain’s population lack the basic digital skills to realise the benefits of the internet
10%
of the adult population may never be able to gain basic digital capabilities
88%
feel more confident after they get help to use the internet

3. The digital divide in the UK
The main excluded groups
Keys to digital inclusion
Older people: nearly half of non-users without internet access are aged over 65
Economically inactive: two thirds of non-users without home access are unemployed
Low-qualified: 62% of those with no educational qualifications are non-users
With disability: 49% of people with disabilities are not online
Access - the ability to actually go online and connect to the internet
Skills - to be able to use the internet
Motivation - knowing the reasons why using the internet is a good thing
Trust - a fear of crime, or not knowing where to start to go online

4. What we're doing to help
Providing regular drop-in sessions at Reading's central library and other libraries and community venues around the town, with volunteers helping visitors with IT – basic computer and mobile device use, web browsing, etc.
Working with partner organisations who can provide additional training as appropriate – Age UK, New Directions
We hope to work with partner organisations to reach more people with disabilities.

5. Our partners – Elevate @ the library
More information at

6. Safeguarding
We are likely to be working at times with visitors who would be classed as vulnerable adults, such as elderly and infirm people or those with learning-related disabilities.
Volunteers will not need to be DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked provided that we don't offer advice that affects the visitor's wellbeing (e.g. financial advice or advice on benefits).
We can give general advice on how to fill in online forms, for example.
If in doubt please ask a member of the RVA team.

7. Confidentiality
We are likely to be handling confidential information, even if inadvertently
Volunteers should avoid observing sensitive information such as passwords as far as possible
It is recognised that sensitive information will sometimes be seen by volunteers (e.g. when helping visitors to log into their or other websites), in which case this should not be acted on or revealed to anyone else
For further information please ask a member of the RVA team.

8. Any questions?