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Sunderland wins £3m digital challenge |
Sunderland has been named as the winner of the Communities and Local Government’s Digital Challenge, receiving £3m to fund its initiative to deliver a digitally-enabled community benefiting some of the most vulnerable people in society. Sunderland proposals will see its community benefiting from a number of initiatives such as Community e-Champions working in their local area to help vulnerable people access computer and internet services, helping children at risk of underachieving at Key Stage 3 and an e-mentoring scheme working for children and young people. The bid will also meet the needs of carers and looked after children through a walkie talkie and panic buttons. The Digital Challenge saw cities, towns and regions outline their visions for a digitally enabled society designed to better meet the needs of local communities and citizens. Since the finalists were announced last year, the ten regional partnerships have been working together and have formed the DC10. “Digital Inclusion is about more than new technologies. It is an opportunity to solve problems and improve the lives of people in our communities. As winner of the Digital Challenge, Sunderland should be seen as an example of how the social and digital divide can be bridged and serve as a blueprint for local partnerships for the future,” said Minister for Local e-Government, Angela Smith. “All the finalists have led the way in the UK and should be seen as true regional digital inclusion champions. Together as the new DC10 they will continue to galvanise thinking, unleash creativity and raise the agenda, both locally and nationally.” |
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