Digital strategies

In 2012-13, we continued to expand our work with organisations and with government, supporting the delivery of their digital strategies, and encouraging them to embed digital delivery and digital ways of working within their organisations.

Working with Government

Over the previous year, we have worked closely with government, including Government Digital Service, the team within the Cabinet Office that has been tasked with transforming government digital services.

As well as sitting on the assisted digital steering group, ensuring the advantages of online public services in upskilling the UK population are realised, we have also worked closely with the team developing GOV.UK, the single government website, ensuring it meets the needs of those with only basic skills.

Social housing

Our work with social housing providers has continued at pace during 2012-13, with Chief Executive Helen Milner offering consultancy to support a number of social housing providers to embed digital - and digital inclusion - into their strategy.

We have continued to build important partnerships within the social housing sector, working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Communities and Local Government to create the Digital Deal Challenge Fund (launched in April 2013) - a matched funding initiative that aims to support innovative digital inclusion projects within social housing.

Reading resident finds an easier life online

At 84, Mary Parry, from Caversham, near Reading had heard about the benefits that computers and the internet bring, but thought it was too late in life to get online herself. However, with her son living in New Zealand, Mary was persuaded to give it a try to help her keep in touch.

Living at a sheltered housing scheme in Caversham, managed by the Southern Housing Group, the Digital Champion outreach scheme helped build her experience and confidence. She says, “I couldn’t believe it when they said they’d help me to use the internet, especially for free! At my age it’s very easy to get isolated if you let yourself, so I think it’s fantastic to get the chance to make the most of the internet.

Mary now has her own laptop and continues to find new ways to use her new skills - recently starting to order repeat prescriptions online. She tells us:

Digital Housing Hub

Launched at the beginning of 2012, over the past year the Digital Housing Hub has grown significantly, celebrating its 500th member in January 2013. The Hub acts as an online meeting place for people working in social housing who are interested in digital inclusion, giving each other tips for technology to use within their projects, finding partners to help with their projects and sharing successes.

Faye Saville, Communications Officer from Helena Partnership in Merseyside was 500th person to sign up to the Digital Housing Hub. She says: “It’s exciting to have become the 500th member. The Digital Housing Hub will be an excellent resource for Helena, helping to support our plans to raise tenant awareness and change behaviours around digital inclusion. I’m really keen to start taking advantage of the materials and advice on offer, and check out the interactive facilities available to engage with colleagues in the housing sector.”