Vision
We will maximise the use of digital technologies to engage with residents, organisations and voluntary groups in the city while giving people the right digital access and skills so they can do more for themselves and work together in their communities. Helping people live independently for longer.
Desired outcomes
- Everyone in Plymouth has an equal opportunity to achieve the access, skills and confidence to get online and be a part of the digital world
- More people are digitally included, which will help reduce inequalities and social isolation and loneliness within communities
- We will increase our use of digital technologies to communicate with and engage citizens in the democratic process
- We will create the right digital environment so that we can innovate in services like health and social care
- Make the most of digital to encourage collaboration and make more people aware of resources and opportunities in their community, encouraging independence and increasing resilience
- Residents who want to do so are able to receive relevant and timely notifications from the council about issues and opportunities of interest to them; from the status of services they rely on through to policy and planning decisions.
The journey so far
A city-wide digital inclusion network has been formed to provide a joined-up approach to tackling the digital divide. The network led by Plymouth City Council and made up of groups and organisations across the city will deliver interventions to overcome the main barriers to people getting online - access, skills, confidence and motivation.
Libraries offer free access to computers and WiFi; all are UK Online Centres and can take advantage of funding streams such as Google Digital Garage and BT Skills for Tomorrow. They run regular courses and sessions helping people to learn and build on their digital skills.
Plymouth Online Directory (POD) provides an online community-based directory with a focus on health, social and wellbeing services. It enables and supports people in the local community to live independently and make life choices that will improve their health and wellbeing.
Council meetings are streamed online allowing people to view and be a part of the democratic process and citizen surveys are carried out each year to find out what residents think of the city and of council services.
Fixing the digital divide
Win regularly attended basic IT sessions in the Central Library.
"Since my husband passed away three and a half years ago, the library has been invaluable to me.
I had cataracts removed and decided to start reading again to pass the time away, so I joined the library, then learned about IT classes which I attended so as not to be left too far behind with all the latest technology.
Soon after a knitting group was formed which I also took part in and altogether made several new friends where we share ideas and memories.
The staff at Central are most helpful and friendly and as an 89 year old this has been a great help in keeping me from feeling lonely. I’m sure a lot of people could benefit from getting involved."
What we’ll do next to achieve the vision
- We will work with partners across the city to facilitate a joined-up approach to tackling digital exclusion, with an ambition to reduce digital exclusion by 10% (reaching 2,080 people).
- With our partners we will use data to identify the digitally excluded and understand the barriers to them getting online (access, motivation, skills). We will collaborate to address these barriers and help people to get online.
- We will create a digital signposting tool so that Plymouth’s residents are aware of digital skills and access opportunities available across the city.
- Through a partnership with On Course South West we will offer digital champions training for volunteers.
- Work with partners in health and social care to establish where we can share data to improve service efficiency for residents.
- Work towards unified client records and unified operational and management data for the health and social care system as a whole
- Explore the use of assistive technologies and sensors to help people live independently for longer.
- We will increase resilience in communities, empowering citizens by making them more aware of existing resources in their community.
- We will build on the success of POD and make sure that content is aligned with our main website at plymouth.gov.uk, reducing duplication and providing a more consistent experience.