Merseyside Digital Development

Computers a hit with Liverpool Community June 26, 2007

Through building up a close network of local sustainable partnerships, including Include Neighbourhood regeneration, and Dingle Opportunities, the innovative EverybodyOnline project has introduced over 1000 people to ICT since it was launched, has seen over 400 people enrol on ICT related courses, and has assisted over 20 people into employment. The pioneering EverybodyOnline project was launched in Liverpool 8, in April 2006. The project is designed to help local people access the internet, learn new skills and find out how digital technology could improve their lives.  Now into the second year, the project is proving to be a great success, and is hoping to expand into other areas across Merseyside.

Recent Government statistics show that one third of adults in the UK have never used the Internet and 45% per of households are still without Internet access. According to the Future Foundation, if this trend continues 23 million adults are at risk of losing access to fundamental services like medical information and education by 2025, if they continue to avoid modern technology. Lucy Campbell, EverybodyOnline Project Co-ordinator for Liverpool 8, is working to ensure all members of the community in Liverpool 8 get access to technology and the skills to use it.

Include Neighbourhood Director, Erika Rushton says: “EverybodyOnline is delivering on every level in Liverpool 8. People who are excluded from educational opportunities, cheap flights, and online shopping can now access them. The band of local volunteers, have become IT experts, and all our community organisations are online. In just one year the project has assisted 14 people into employment – this is real community investment, investment in the people, and organisations that make Liverpool 8 work”

EverybodyOnline is unique in its approach, rather than simply bringing in technology and walking away, Lucy has been working with the community to remove issues that prevent access. For example, encouraging local schools to utilise their facilities by inviting the local community to use their computers.

Lucy says, “The project has really been welcomed by the local community. For some people, being able to use the internet has been a life changing experience, enabling them to do things that they never thought were possible. What I would really like to see now, is the success of the project being rolled out into other areas across the city. ”

The EverybodyOnline project is an initiative run by the national charity Citizens Online and is supported by BT. It aims to help communities overcome any barriers they may have to technology so residents can take advantage of the wealth of opportunities digital technology and the Internet has to offer.

Peter Connor, North West Regional Manager for BT says: “BT is delighted to support the Liverpool 8 EverybodyOnline project. New technology can improve people’s lives, but access to it is not an end in itself. It is only useful if it can open doors to the things that really matter to people, such as education, jobs, shopping, business opportunities, entertainment and contact with the people that they care about. Led enthusiastically by Lucy Campbell, this impressive project has captured the talent, imagination and ambitions of people of all ages in Liverpool 8, opening up the wealth of opportunities that digital technology and the internet has to offer.”

Plans for the next 12 months include the launch of the community portal, a Net Technicians course, a local heritage project, a guide to healthy living on the internet, and themed taster sessions. Furthermore, the project is now looking to secure funding from key partners within the Liverpool region, with the view to having a further three projects up and running by this time next year.

For more information please contact Lucy Campbell on 07793742349