The Council’s digital inclusion programme has been nominated for a number of prestigious awards in recognition of its work in tackling digital exclusion in the city.
The Council and its digital inclusion programme #CovConnects have been nominated in the ‘Digital Council of the Year’ and ‘Community Improvement of the Year’ categories at the 2024 Connected Britain awards.
Ramona McGarry, a Digital Inclusion Co-ordinator working on the programme, was also nominated in the ‘Rising Star’ category.
Through the Connected Britain Awards, Total Telecom aim to recognise the most significant and innovative organisations, solutions and programmes that are shaping Britain’s digital future.
#CovConnects nominations were recognition of the ongoing success of the programme.
Since launching in 2022, the programme has:
- Launched the #CovConnects Device Bank which recycles existing devices and distributes them to community organisations. So far, 3000 devices have been distributed to 100 #CovConnects partners in the city.
- Delivered over 500 hours of digital drop-in skills sessions.
- Helped distribute 11,000 National Databank SIM cards across Good Things Hubs in Coventry.
- Supported the creation 56 National Databank Hubs across the city.
- Continued to deliver digital champion training across frontline services.
Partnership working is at the heart of the #CovConnects programme and none of its schemes would have been possible without the support of partners.
The project works closely with community organisations, Coventry University, University of Warwick, NHS partners and private sector companies to help residents from all backgrounds access the digital world.
Cllr Richard Brown, Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, said: “We’re on a journey in Coventry to reduce the digital divide. Simply put, we want all of our residents to be able to access the digital world and to feel comfortable doing so.
“These nominations show that we’re moving in the right direction, and it only strengthens our resolve to keep driving this project forward.
“I would like to say a special thanks to all our partners, as none of this would have been possible without their commitment and support. This programme is a fantastic example of what we can achieve as a city when we work together.”
The winners of the Connected Britain Awards will be announced on Wednesday 11 September.
For the latest on #CovConnects, please visit #CovConnects – Coventry City Council