Stratford District: Digital inclusion grants to support community delivery

Voluntary and community organisations across Stratford-on-Avon District are invited to apply for Stratford District: Digital inclusion grants, providing up to £4,000 to help communities get online.  

Applications are aimed at supporting isolated or rural communities and those lacking basic IT skills and those that seek to increase financial wellbeing and access to training or employment opportunities. Applications should clearly demonstrate how they will contribute to the development of the skills and confidence needed to access the internet, get the most out of being online and ensure that there is suitable provision for them to do so within their community or a community facility.

Cllr Maurice Howse Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Revenues and Housing said “People living in rural areas or those without basic computer skills can face difficulties in getting online and gaining those important basic skills. There are fewer local opportunities for digital skills training, and travel to attend training is often not possible. These grants will enable digitally excluded residents to gain the skills and confidence they need to realise the benefits of the internet."

The Digital Inclusion Grants programme has been made possible through funding of £40,000 provided by Orbit Heart of England to support collaboration and partnership across the district. According to Tim Dumbleton, Digital Inclusion and Development Manager at Orbit, “Being online is becoming increasingly important and Orbit is an organisation that recognises that we want to help our customers and the wider community get the most out of being online.  Funding this programme really demonstrates our commitment to supporting both local companies and residents and supports our vision of building communities."

Voluntary Action Stratford-upon-Avon (VASA) are working in partnership with the District Council and Orbit to provide support to communities and groups in their application and will be holding a meeting on Tuesday 28 July to provide more information.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 28th July 2015, between 10am to 12noon at Voluntary Action Stratford-on-Avon District (VASA), Suite 3 Arden Court, Arden Street, Stratford-upon- Avon, CV37 6NT

Please note: no parking is available at Arden Court; however Arden Street public car park next door provides ample parking. If you would like to find out more about the grants or to reserve your place at the meeting please contact Charles Barlow (VASA) on 01789 262889.

You can download an application form at www.stratford.gov.uk/community/community-grants-funding.cfm or contact Carol Roberts on 01789 260112 socialinclusion@stratford-dc.gov.uk if you require any further information.

The closing date for applications will be 16 October 2015 with funds released in November 2015, grants will be awarded on a one-off basis, but projects can be for up to two years