The Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) recently completed a year-long project aimed at reducing digital poverty in their local community. This remote rural area is 60 miles from the nearest town and supermarket, and faced the dual challenge of poor broadband connectivity and an ageing population.
The project encouraged younger, IT-savvy residents to share their knowledge with community members less familiar with technology. Drop-in sessions and one-to-one support helped residents with everyday IT needs such as internet banking, online appointments, and device setup. In total, 26 sessions were held, with more than 130 community members attending, often bringing along friends or family seeking help.
Beyond practical IT support, the sessions fostered new social connections and combated isolation, benefiting both the older participants and the younger volunteers, who gained confidence in providing peer support. Notable successes included helping a housebound resident set up a new device for online shopping, and assisting a family with a green energy grant application to reduce their fuel costs.
The initiative highlighted the significant and diverse digital needs within the community and underscored the importance of impartial, supportive IT guidance. Building on this success, GALE plans to continue its monthly drop-in sessions, supported by volunteers and community fundraising, ensuring that there is ongoing digital support for those who may need it.
