Thousands more older people to get online thanks to £4m in lottery funding

An initiative Age UK is involved in to improve digital skills has been awarded a further £4 million in National Lottery funding.

• One Digital programme uses Digital Champions to help people to get online and develop basic digital skills
• National Lottery have awarded £4m in funding to continue the programme for three years
• Age UK is working with partners with a goal of reaching another 40,000 people.

Transforming digital skills

One Digital was set up by Age UK, Citizens Online, Clarion Housing Group, Digital Unite and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisationto help people to get online and improve their basic digital skills. They are supported by Digital Champions who have been trained to provide one-to-one support.

As well as over 65s, young adults looking for work and charities are among the beneficiaries.

More than 80 per cent of people who have taken part so far said they have more confidence in their basic digital skills, a better understanding of the benefits of digital technologies and an increased motivation to use them.

Steve Hampson, Head of Innovation and Programmes at Age UK explained why the programme has worked so well, saying: 'The success of the first phase of One Digital shows just how much can be achieved when diverse organisations work together.

We look forward to the second phase of One Digital which will enable us to support many more people to get online, learn new skills and get more out of the digital world.'

40,000 more people to be trained

The next phase of the programme will focus on expanding it to reach even more beneficiaries - a further 40,000 people, through 4,000 digital champions.

Multiple local Age UKs across regions will be transforming digital skills for older people in areas with high digital exclusion. Older people will be supported to learn how digital skills can benefit them, for example:

• Helping them to keep in contact with loved ones
• Making savings by shopping online
• Pursuing hobbies

'It has changed my life. I had no confidence in myself. But once I learned to use the iPad, to get in touch with people, I actually started to do things that I have always wanted to do but have never had the confidence to do.' - One Digital participant