The UK faces an alarming digital skills gap which is having a profound impact on our country. Millions of individuals, and a significant number of businesses across the UK, lack the essential digital skills that they need. This makes social divides even greater, and is having an estimated £63bn annual impact on the UK’s future competitiveness.
Across the UK, over 11 million people- or 20% of the population- still lack the basic digital skills they need to participate in today’s world. People who are offline are missing out on all the benefits that the internet can provide - from helping them to find work and save money to keeping in touch with friends, family and loved ones.
Wavemaker believes everyone has the right to access technology to improve their lives and in turn benefit health and well-being.
There’s no easy fix to this problem and there are a number of barriers to digital inclusion. Unfortunately, there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
With over 20 years experience in the field, the Wavemaker team acknowledges this and is taking a community approach to tackling digital exclusion, with a supported network of local organisations at our core. We are a people-focused organisation and put the learner at the heart of everything that we do. We build motivation, confidence, competence and ability when it comes to using technology, and are proud to be the region’s leading digital engagement, readiness and inclusion organisation.
Over the years, we have discovered and enabled greater outcomes as a result of digital technologies. One of these is social isolation. Naturally, vulnerable and disadvantaged people can easily find themselves isolated in many ways, not just with technology. However, reducing digital exclusion is a positive step in combating many other issues, especially social isolation.
The number of people over 50 who experience loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6 and there are 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK
Age UK 2016, No-one should have no one
Digital Health
Many studies have found that people without digital skills are most likely to experience health inequalities. Digital tools can help empower people to take charge of their own health and make the right choices for them.
While improved digital literacy can reduce stress and cost for individuals, there is also a huge impact on the delivery of front-line services. Through using more digital means, there is less pressure on the NHS through an increase in online transactional services such as repeat prescriptions, online appointment booking and patient access to health records.
However, many of the people who could benefit most from digital services are the least likely to be online. If we also consider the transition of many health services from telephone-based communication to online, it is clear that there is a growing need to increase digital health literacy and skills. By providing skills and confidence online digital health resources can mean better access to information and care, increased convenience and empowerment for all.
Barriers to digital inclusion
Research for the UK digital strategy suggests that there are a number of important barriers to digital inclusion. These barriers may overlap and some individuals may be affected by more than one issue.
The barriers are:
access - not everyone has the ability to connect to the internet and go online
confidence - some people fear online crime, lack trust or don’t know where to start online
skills - not everyone has the ability to use the internet and online services
motivation - not everyone sees why using the internet could be relevant and helpful
As access, skills and confidence improve, it is increasingly important to tackle other barriers, including:
design - not all digital services and products are accessible and easy to use
awareness - not everyone is aware of digital services and products available to them
staff capability and capacity
not all health and care staff have the skills and knowledge to recommend digital services and products to patients and service users
We are always keen to hear from potential partners with ambition and commitment to helping people engage with digital. If that’s you then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Wavemaker. Tech for good for all.
