Virgin Money Foundation has awarded new grants totalling £1.4m to organisations across Glasgow and the North East of England to help tackle digital poverty as part of its Building Digital Skills grant programme.
Four in ten households with children in the UK (45%) do not meet the Minimum Digital Living Standard, according to recent research by Good Things Foundation*, which equates to 3.7 million households. This means they don’t have accessible internet, adequate equipment or the skills and knowledge needed to communicate, connect and engage in the modern world.
The research found that 38% of households struggle with online skills, with parents, children, or both lacking functional or critical digital abilities. For 17% of households with children, this means parents being unable to create an email account or make online payments to pay household bills etc. Almost one in five households (18.5%) do not fully meet the equipment and services threshold, lacking one or more of broadband, TV, or devices.
Virgin Money Foundation has developed a new strategy to tackle this issue, supported by £3 million of funding from Virgin Money. Its Building Digital Skills Fund will be used to support community organisations known as Community Anchors, to boost their communities' digital skills and confidence, provide access to affordable data and broadband, and ensure they have the necessary equipment such as mobile wi-fi devices.
17 organisations across Glasgow and the North East of England are benefitting from this round of grant awards of £1.4m in total, with individual grants of £42k to £100k.
Nancy Doyle-Hall, executive director of Virgin Money Foundation, said: “Through our work with community organisations in statistically disadvantaged areas, we’ve seen that a lack of digital access and confidence significantly hinders individuals from progressing in their lives, whether it’s applying for jobs, accessing education, or booking a GP appointment. This is why Virgin Money Foundation has introduced a new strategy aimed at addressing the critical issue of digital poverty by launching the Building Digital Skills Fund.
“Through this Fund we will work with Community Anchor organisations to develop bespoke approaches to help tackle digital poverty in their communities. The funding they receive will help make a positive difference in Glasgow and the North East of England and we look forward to seeing the results of their work.”
Action Foundation – Newcastle
One grant beneficiary is Action Foundation, based in Newcastle, which provides support to refugees, and people going through the asylum system. The funding of £100k will enable Action Foundation to employ a dedicated digital skills worker, up-skill their volunteers, and grow its digital inclusion programme. It will also help Action Foundation to improve their members’ online learning, complete qualifications and job searches as well as learning fundamental skills in using IT equipment. As part of the programme they will provide members of the local community with digital devices to help them combat digital exclusion.
Mark Hall, head of client services at Action Foundation, said: "It is fantastic to have received a grant from Virgin Money Foundation to empower and enhance the lives of refugees. Our Digital Skills workshops are set up to help overcome barriers related to employment and education and to enable people to connect to health care and essential services.
“Research shows that people with low digital skills are at a higher risk of poorer health outcomes, increased social isolation, and limited job opportunities. It is so good to be making giant steps forward to improve digital engagement and enhance the wellbeing of our clients."
Rosemount Lifelong Learning – Glasgow
Rosemount Lifelong Learning (RLL) is based in Royston in North East Glasgow. Their mission is to increase the life chances of people living in the area through the provision of high-quality learning, through their purpose-built centre and nursery, both of which are well used by the local community. Funding from Virgin Money Foundation will support RLL’s 'Click & Connect' programme, which supports children and adults across activities including job applications, CV writing and applying for Universal Credit and car insurance.
Sean Morrow, chief executive officer at Rosemount Lifelong Learning said: “We are excited to receive a grant from Virgin Money Foundation to promote digital inclusion in North Glasgow. Our dual approach focuses on enhancing skills and continuous learning while addressing digital isolation. The funding will help us expand our ‘Click & Connect’ projects, meeting growing demand and creating new opportunities. In the past year, we engaged over 300 people, and with the support from Virgin Money Foundation and HFD Charitable Foundation, we aim to reach at least 550 this year. “The digital age affects many, often without us realizing the impact of digital exclusion on our connections with family, community, and the world.”
The first round of grants from Virgin Money Foundation’s Building Digital Skills fund are available up to £100k over three years to address issues that hold their communities back from being digitally included.
In Glasgow, the Building Digital Skills funding builds on a successful partnership between the HFD Charitable Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation, which saw the Community Anchors’ Fund Glasgow deliver over £1 million to Glasgow-based community groups and charities between 2020-2023.
ENDS
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Email: press.office@virginmoney.com
Notes to Editors
More information on Good Things Foundation and their work on digital inclusion can be found here: Home | Good Things Foundation
Organisations receiving grants
| Organisations in the North East of England | Grant Amount |
| Moving on Durham | £89,178 |
| Shotton Partnership | £89,863 |
| Action Station South Tyneside | £54,700 |
| Action Foundation | £100,000 |
| Peace of Mind | £95,084 |
| Pallion Action Group | £83,596 |
| SHARP | £100,000 |
| West View Advice & Resource Centre | £91,992 |
| A Way Out | £88,139 |
| Organisations in Glasgow | Grant Amount |
| Fuse Youth Café | £98,909 |
| Govan Community Project | £84,189 |
| Govan Hills Community Baths Trust | £93,335 |
| Maryhill Integration Network | £79,931 |
| Rosemount Lifelong Learning | £99,600 |
| SWAMP | £90,840 |
| The Whiteinch Centre | £42,190 |
| Cranhill Development Trust | £90,000 |
About Virgin Money Foundation
Virgin Money Foundation, launched in August 2015, promotes the sustainable regeneration of communities in Glasgow and the North East of England that have experienced social and economic decline. Since its launch it has awarded £15 million in grants to community organisations across the UK. Virgin Money Foundation seeks to work jointly with other funders, making additional funds available for great local projects.
Visit virginmoneyfoundation.org.uk for further details.
Virgin Money Foundation. Charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 9457101. Charity No. 1161290. Registered Office: Jubilee House, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE3 4PL