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Village halls as digital champions
We know how vital digital life is now, but not everyone can get online. Without the skills, a suitable device, an affordable internet connection and the motivation to use the internet, many people get left behind. In Scotland, this is as much as 20% of our population.
Village halls are at the heart of our communities –often a place local residents trust to find activities and services they need. If you’ve got the space, capacity, and willingness to help people get online then you’re perfectly placed!
What do people need to get online?
In a perfect world, everyone would have access to the following things in their own home:
- A reliable, affordable internet connection
- A device that’s right for them
- The skills to use a device and safely navigate the internet
- The motivation to use all of the above.
Not everyone has these, and that’s why we have a digital divide in Scotland. However, village halls can think practically about their role in combatting this with some of our practical tips below.
A connection to the internet and a device that’s right
Having a device without an internet connection is like having a car with no petrol. A reliable, affordable connection means that people can access everything the internet has to offer them. However, not everybody can afford it – or at least, some people might not be sure it’s right for them yet. One internet connection that many people can use can often be a lifesaver.
The same goes for devices – it might not be possible for people to buy their own, they might feel overwhelmed by the choice and technical details, or they may not feel it’s worth it for them. Giving people an opportunity to try before they buy or just use devices on an ad-hoc basis can make a difference.
What can a village hall do?
There's lots a village hall can do to help people feel more confident about using digital, and give them opportunities to learn new skills. Here are some of our ideas of what you can do.
This can mean that people have an opportunity not just to explore if taking out a broadband contract is worth it for them, it can also mean that those that can’t afford to can access essential public services. Access to the internet can sometimes mean the difference between receiving benefits or a sanction.
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.
Device lending libraries can be great opportunities for new internet users to try devices before they think about buying them. They can also be useful if a person has a short-term task to complete but lacks the right equipment, like filling in a job application or writing a CV which is difficult to do on a smartphone. Having a stock of devices that can be used in this way is a great way to support people online.
Libraries and schools have traditionally been the provider of public-access IT, but in many rural areas these services are diminished or non-existent. Village halls have much better local reach and understanding so can be perfectly placed to help people out this way.
Tips for turning your village or community hall into a digital hub
Here are some top tips for thinking about how you could support people with their device and connectivity needs:
When you’re looking for devices for your lending library of public access, 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.
If you want to set up Wi-Fi in your village hall, it’s definitely worth checking out Ofcom’s Mobile and Broadband Checker to make sure you can get good service. Ofcom also have a list of approved price comparison sites, to make sure that you’re getting the best deal.
You can help people to find connectivity through the charities.connected programme run by Vodafone. You can also look at supporting them to understand social tariffs.
The skills to use a device safely and the motivation to get online
Having a car that’s full of petrol is one thing – but unless you know how to drive it’s not much use. That’s the same for digital skills: without the Essential Digital Skills and the motivation to use the internet, people won’t be able to reap the benefits.
It can be difficult to give people both the skills and motivation they need – but not impossible. We know people learn best in trusted places with trusted faces. Where is more local and friendly than the village hall? That’s what makes them ideal places to host digital champions!
What can a village hall do?
- Support local volunteers to become digital champions. Digital champions are anyone that helps someone get online. They spend time with a learner and help them figure out how to navigate the internet safely. They are often most successful when they help someone find their motivation to get online by demonstrating a hobby, interest or need that the learner can do on the internet. We call this finding the hook.
- Think creatively about how you can tempt people online. The motivation to get online is all about making the internet appealing. Research shows that most people are still offline because they feel uncertain about online safety and privacy. Find new ways to show that being online is great if you know how to keep yourself safe. For example, you could host an afternoon tea with entertainment provided by YouTube – a great online resource for tempting new users in.
- Understand Essential Digital Skills. Essential Digital Skills underpin everything we do online, and it’s important that people are able to meet these to make sure they can use the internet safely and productively. There are five Essential Digital Skills – learning about these will provide a great jumping off point for supporting a learner.
Here are some key, free resources you can use to support people online:
- Check out our how-to guides on being a digital champion here. Our section on ‘Engaging with new learners’ is particularly great for those top tips on creative ways to tempt people online.
- We also have a fantastic curated hub of online resources to support people to improve their digital skills. It focuses on what people want to learn and might be interested in, rather than just on the individual skills.
- Use our Essential Digital Skills Check-up to measure your own or your learners’ skills! This is a really handy resource that’s free to use, and means that you can keep track of how the people you’re supporting are doing in terms of their skills!
Our general how-to guide on digital inclusion offers an in-depth look at how you can develop, deliver and evaluate digital inclusion projects. You can also contact us if you have any questions!