Resource

For many voluntary sector organisations, funding will be key in supporting digital inclusion activity. This may be funding to support a specific role, the costs of providing devices and/or connectivity or the cost of maintaining a community venue that provides digital inclusion support.

• You can find lots of great information in SCVO's guide to finding funding.
• SCVO Grantmaking manages a range of different funds. You can browse any of our open funds here.
• Find funding for your charity, community group or social enterprise using SCVO's free online search engine Funding Scotland.

• Setup a working group in your organisation to help drive forward activity and create the culture to support digital inclusion.
• Is there someone in your organisation who is inspired by digital and can lead the change? Consider how they could be a Digital Motivator and how this can be built into their job plan. We have created a Guide for Digital Motivators that you can use.
• Consider establishing a Digital Champion network. Digital Champions help people develop their digital skills and confidence to make the most of the online world. Recognising this in job plans helps protect time for this to be meaningful work. We have created a Guide for Digital Champions that you can use.

Providing devices and connectivity can be supported through dedicated funding. However, there are other avenues you can explore to support access:

• Raise awareness of social tariffs. Social tariffs are less expensive internet connections available to lower-income people and recipients of certain benefits. Helping people to learn about eligibility means they can save money and have their own connection.
  Find out more in this information from Ofcom.
• When you’re looking for devices consider the environment. There are lots of organisations that refurbish old devices so that they don’t end up in landfill – this can often be a more cost effective way to support local people online. Have a look at our list of device refurbishment organisations here, or check out how you can think about doing it yourself here.
• Consider applying to Vodafone's charities.connected initiative to distribute free connectivity. You can apply for free Vodafone SIMs, each loaded with 40GB data a month for six months, plus unlimited calls and texts. 
• Consider joining the National Digital Inclusion Network from Good Things Foundation. This provides members organisations with access to the National Databank and the National Device Bank.
• Consider providing public access wi-fi as part of a hub approach in your local community.

Supporting digital upskilling can help unlock the digital world for many people. There are different ways an organisation can contribute resource to this.

• Embedding Digital Champions in core service delivery.
• Sharing and providing open access to any digital upskilling resources you've created.
• Make use of some of the amazing resources that already exist e.g. Learn My Way from Good Things Foundation. No need to reinvent the wheel!