Helping residents to live well in the digital age: Greater Manchester takes step towards closing divide

Greater Manchester has taken a significant step towards addressing digital exclusion with the launch of a new Digital Champion volunteer training programme.

The initiative aims to support the city region’s efforts to ensure that all residents, particularly the elderly, can access essential online services and live well in today’s increasingly digital world.

With nearly 93,000 adults over the age of 75 in Greater Manchester considered digitally excluded, and a third of these having never used the internet, the programme is seen as a critical measure to close the digital skills gap.

Currently, around 170 Digital Champions work across the region, helping residents develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate the digital age. The new training programme will provide these volunteers with further support and training to enhance their work.

The programme, developed and delivered by experienced Digital Champions, is designed to be sustainable and long-term, ensuring volunteers have the tools they need to provide ongoing support.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)’s Digital Inclusion Action Network has partnered with community training provider Starting Point and local authorities to deliver standardised training across all ten boroughs in the region.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "We want to ensure that everyone across Greater Manchester can access everyday support in every neighbourhood to live well. In an increasingly digital world this means anyone, regardless of age or background, should have the opportunity to build their digital skills and confidence.

“Our Digital Inclusion Action Network is committed to tackling the digital skills gap in our region and empowering our workforce and volunteers, so no one is left behind in this digital age.

"By addressing the digital skills gap we can help more people into good work, we can help them find activities in their community to keep them healthy and happy, and we relieve pressures on other services so that these in turn can help more people.”

Cellnex and Starting Point are members of GMCA’s GM Digital Inclusion Taskforce, a group of more than 250 organisations across Greater Manchester who work together to tackle digital exclusion in the region. It brings together public sector partners such as local authorities, schools and health services with the voluntary and community sector and industry.

Nicola Wallace Dean, co-founder of Starting Point said: “We are thrilled to launch Starting Point's Greater Manchester-wide digital champions training, generously funded by Cellnex. With over 20 years of experience supporting residents, we understand the evolving needs of our communities.

“This programme is a game-changer, addressing the realities faced by those unable to access technology or the internet.

"The Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Action Network, coordinated by the GMCA, has been instrumental in enabling collaboration between Starting Point and the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. This coordination ensures that our efforts are unified and impactful across the region.

“You don’t need to be a digital expert to make a difference; even basic digital literacy can empower individuals and foster a more inclusive community. This foundational programme ensures that everyone can contribute to fixing the digital divide and supporting those in need. Together, we are building a digitally inclusive future for Greater Manchester.”