Digital Poverty Alliance has launched its expansion of its Tech4Youth programme to the Solway Coast, coinciding with End Digital Poverty Day.
This expansion of the scheme will support 275 young people, aged 11 to 19, on the Solway Coast and surrounding communities, Silloth, Wigton, Maryport and Aspatria, by providing laptops, free internet access, and digital literacy workshops, directly addressing the digital access challenges faced in this region.
It said 86% of parents of digitally excluded children cite cost as the primary barrier preventing their children from accessing laptops, revealed by research conducted by DPA.
The scheme is supported by £78,000 from the Macquarie Foundation and broadband provider Voneus.
Additionally, 92% of parents reported a significant increase in their children’s motivation to learn after receiving a laptop, highlighting the critical role digital access plays in educational engagement.
For older youth in this cohort, who are beginning to explore employment opportunities, digital skills are indispensable. With 90 per cent of jobs now advertised online, access to technology and the development of digital competencies are essential for expanding their career prospects and enabling continued online training, which is vital for their future employability.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO at Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to grow our work in Cumbria and support more young people by providing access to online learning and digital skills.
“Providing laptops and workshops where young people from the Solway Coast can learn skills is an essential step to narrowing the gap in this region and empowering the next generation of Cumbria.
“Overall, this will ensure that every young person is faced with the same opportunities during their schooling and post education, as they enter employment.”
Christopher Traggio CEO at Voneus, added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Digital Poverty Alliance on this scheme to amplify investment in devices and skills for young people in Solway Coast who are unfairly digitally excluded.”
