West Midlands citizens will benefit from improved access to digital skills training and devices thanks to the development of WMtogether – a new Digital Inclusion Hub. Backed by £400,000 from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Fund, this innovative tool will bring everything needed to tackle digital exclusion into a centralised platform, making it easier for people to get online and for organisations to contribute equipment and support.
Sat at the heart of the programme is the Hub – an AI-powered matchmaking service designed to quickly connect charities, skills providers and organisations wishing to donate devices. What makes it truly unique is that, beyond facilitating connections, it also showcases best practice across the region, providing a blueprint that others can replicate and scale to maximise impact.
The programme will begin with a pilot in Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton, engaging 1,500 digitally excluded residents and building on the many great initiatives already in the region. This work comes at a critical time. Nearly half of the region’s population are non or limited users of the internet, and many lack the confidence or resources to access essential services online. Without intervention, these gaps will continue to limit access to jobs, healthcare, and public services, while holding back economic growth.
Find out more about how you can get involved – from sharing programme information to donating time and digital devices.
