A Digital Future

Helen MilnerManaging DirectorUK online centres

Our vision

To deliver large scale social action in thousands of local communities so that everyone can take part in a fully networked nation

Technology has already revolutionised the way most of us live our lives

Our goal is not to get people to use technology, it’s about how they use technology to have a positive impact on their lives

Just like Irene Dickinsonfrom Blackpool

The divide between the online and the offline is deepening

Percentage population use of the internetSource: ONS 2010

Who is offline? (has NEVER used the internet – UK population)

UK online centres users lives – before and after

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

I do not feel concerned about my levels of qualifications, training or skills

n=75

I do not feel concerned about my work position

n=51

I do not feel concerned aboutmy health

n=75

I felt part of my local community

I communicated as much as I would have liked

with my family

I communicated as muchas I would like to with friends

"Yes" Before "Yes" After

“Does the internet improve lives?” Freshminds April, 2009

Communicate more

Feel more connected to local community

Feel less concernedabout skills, workand health

Half of everyone who is offline lives in social housing

Social Housing: 150 years of making people’s lives better

mid1800s

2011

Some quotes from Peabody’s learnersI’ll admit when they first sat me down in front of the computer I was clueless. But when they showed me how to search and email it was as if someone flicked on a light switch

I feel brighter and better in myself and I’m certainly not lonely or down in the dumps anymore

It (the internet) can make such a difference to your life, especially if you live in an isolated area like us

I’ve learned such a lot and I would say without a doubt that it’s made a huge difference in my life

“If all UK digitally excluded adults got online and made one digital contact each month, this would save the Government £900 million per year”

PwC & Martha Lane Foxwww.raceonline.org/research

Macro-economics: Benefits to UK plc

Micro-economics: Example benefits

Who can easily use online services? In the 90%s (UK population)

› Almost everybody aged 16 – 44 yrs› Almost everybody earning > £20,800› Almost everybody with a good GCSE (O Level) or higher qualification› Almost everybody buying a house› Almost everybody with dependent children

Why don’t more people get online?

Freshminds 2007 and 2009

Partnership marketing campaigns

4,000 Community Partners

14,000 volunteers

across network

Online centre search and free phone number search (one database for UK)

41% of disabled peoplehave never used internet

66% of over 65s have never used

Broadband take-upby area variesfrom 50% to 80%

www.go-on.co.uk > Our learning website

Thank Youhmilner@ufi.com@helenmilner on twitter www.ukonlinecentres.com www.go-on.co.uk