Coastline’s campaign to close the gap on the digital divide

A social housing group in Cornwall is encouraging the grandchildren of elderly residents to help break down barriers to internet access for hundreds of its tenants.

Coastline Housing, based in Camborne, says “thousands of low income families trapped in the downward spiral of IT poverty face a bleak future as the 21st Century leaves them behind.”

And that “significant pockets of the population are missing out as the digital revolution gathers pace and urgent action is needed to ensure victims of the Digital Divide, which separates the haves from the have nots of the IT world, do not become a permanent technological underclass.”

The housing association is introducing internet cafes to its sheltered housing schemes, which have been made possible with a grant from Get Digital which is also providing specialist tutors who will run activities and provide training to make sure that all residents are able to get involved.

Beth Lawton, Coastline’s head of ICT, who is championing the move to overcome digital exclusion, said: “The cafes are not just about accessing the internet, but also have Nintendo Wiis and digital cameras to encourage participation. The equipment has already been in use, with grandchildren showing their grandparents what can be done.”

A second stage of the scheme will allow residents to choose what additional equipment they would like in order to follow their interests.

Coastline’s aim is to provide internet access for 40 per cent of its customers in 2011, with the figure rising to 65 per cent by 2014.

The target comes after Coastline briefed consultants Cosmic and CoActive, using a £20,000 grant from the Social Enterprise Investment Fund, to identify the barriers to online access, and determine what other rural communities are doing to bring the web within reach for those on lower incomes.

Evidence indicates that many of the worst affected people live in remote rural areas. The ‘have nots’ are further disadvantaged by not being able to access cheap online deals for banking, utilities, and essential purchases.

Lawton added: “We know from our customers that very few tenants are online in any way, shape or form, and we also know it tends to be the case that those who are socially excluded are also digitally excluded.

“Our results showed that only 36 per cent of respondents had internet access, well below the national average of 70 per cent, but only 10 per cent gave us an email address.

“Traditionally, older people are the ones least likely to engage in the internet.”

Although tenants named cost as the main reason, it emerged that three factors combined affected the figures – cost, education, and perceived lack of need.

The association has started putting together a plan to tackle the problem, involving participation from all the major players in Cornwall – from landlords and local authorities to community organisations. It also hopes to tap into the social side of a European fund being made available to improve broadband links in Cornwall and has already provided eight PCs to residents’ associations across its stock.

Lawton added: “I became aware of the digital divide two years ago when I went to a digital government conference in London where it became apparent that the government was committed to moving its services online, and that people who didn’t have access were going to get left behind.

“Longer term, we are working with partners across Cornwall, such as the council, aimed at improving internet access.

“As time goes on, people not on the internet can only lose out further. We need to redress this problem now, before it gets too late.

“There is still a long way to go, and much work to be done, but with the initial building blocks in place Coastline is hopeful that it can further progress projects to help narrow the digital divide in west Cornwall.”