THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE TO GET ONLINE THANKS TO £4M NATIONAL LOTTERY FUNDING

A pioneering initiative that supports people to improve their digital skills is being extended for a further three years thanks to £4 million of National Lottery funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

The programme, One Digital, aims to support people to get online or to develop their basic digital skills through the help of Digital Champions, who have been trained to provide one-to-one support. This second phase of funding will be used to expand the programme and transform digital skills. It aims to reach another 40,000 people through 4,000 Digital Champions, improving the digital skills of those who can benefit most.

Results from the programme’s first phase found that of those surveyed, more than 80 percent said they have more confidence in their basic digital skills, a better understanding of the benefits of digital technologies, and increased motivation to use them.

One person said: “It has changed my life. I had no confidence in myself. But once I learned to use the iPad, to get in touch with people, I actually started to do things that I have always wanted to do but have never had the confidence to do. I am learning to swim! And I have joined an art class. All because I got a bit more confidence in myself through going to the computer sessions.”

Together, One Digital will benefit young adults seeking work, over 65s, charities and the people they support. Having better digital skills and more confidence will enable people to access essential online services, search and apply for jobs and stay in touch with friends and family.

Steve Hampson, Head of Innovation & Programmes at Age UK, said: “Being confident in your own digital skills isn’t just a nice to have; improved digital skills enable people to apply for jobs, pay bills and get the most cost-effective goods and services.

“The success of the first phase of One Digital shows just how much can be achieved when diverse organisations work together. We’re particularly pleased to have established a strong cohort of Digital Champions with a common and active interest in supporting digital inclusion. We look forward to the second phase of One Digital which will enable us to support many more people to get online, learn new skills and get more out of the digital world.”

Joe Ferns, Big Lottery Fund UK and Knowledge Director, said: “It’s important people of all ages have the opportunity to develop the right digital skills. This National Lottery funding will enable communities across the country to learn from one other and confidently navigate the digital world, whether it’s accessing online services or connecting with friends.”

The consortium partners include Age UK, Citizens Online, Clarion Housing Group, Digital Unite and the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, and the service will be delivered through hundreds of local organisations, enabling even more people to get involved.

MILOEDD MWY O BOBL YN GALLU MYND AR-LEIN DIOLCH I £4M O ARIANNU’R LOTERI GENEDLAETHOL

Mae menter arloesol sy’n cefnogi pobl i wella eu sgiliau digidol yn cael ei ymestyn am dair blynedd arall diolch i £4 miliwn o ariannu’r Loteri Genedlaethol o’r Gronfa Loteri Fawr.

Nod y rhaglen, One Digital, yw cefnogi pobl i fynd ar-lein neu ddatblygu eu sgiliau digidol sylfaenol gyda chymorth Pencampwyr Digidol, sydd wedi cael eu hyfforddi i ddarparu cymorth un-i-un. Bydd yr ail gyfnod o ariannu’n cael ei defnyddio i ehangu’r rhaglen a thrawsnewid sgiliau digidol. Mae’n anelu at gyrraedd 40,000 mwy o bobl trwy 4,000 o Bencampwyr Digidol, gan wella sgiliau digidol y sawl a allai fuddio mwyaf.

Mae canlyniadau o gyfnod cyntaf y rhaglen wedi darganfod, o’r sawl a arolygwyd, bod mwy na 80 y cant yn dweud bod ganddynt fwy o hyder yn eu sgiliau digidol sylfaenol, gwell dealltwriaeth o fuddion technolegau digidol, a mwy o gymhelliant i’w defnyddio.

Dywedodd un person: “Mae wedi newid fy mywyd. Doedd gen i ddim hyder ynof fi fy hun. Ond unwaith i mi ddysgu sut i ddefnyddio’r iPad, i gysylltu â phobl, fe ddechreuais wneud pethau roeddwn i erioed wedi bod eisiau eu gwneud ond erioed wedi cael yr hyder i’w gwneud. Rydw i’n dysgu nofio! Ac rydw i wedi ymuno â dosbarth celf. Y cwbl oherwydd bod gennyf fwy o hyder ynof fi fy hun trwy fynd i’r sesiynau cyfrifiadur.”

At ei gilydd, bydd One Digital yn buddio oedolion ifanc sy’n ceisio gwaith, pobl dros 65, elusennau a’r bobl maen nhw’n eu cefnogi. Bydd cael gwell sgiliau digidol a mwy o hyder yn caniatáu pobl i gael mynediad at wasanaethau hanfodol ar-lein, chwilio ac ymgeisio ar swyddi ac aros mewn cysylltiad gyda ffrindiau a theulu.

Dywedodd Steve Hampson, Pennaeth Arloesi a Rhaglenni Age UK: “Mae bod yn hyderus gyda’ch sgiliau digidol eich hun yn fwy na rhywbeth sy’n neis ei gael; mae gwell sgiliau digidol yn caniatáu pobl i ymgeisio am swyddi, talu biliau a meddu ar y nwyddau a gwasanaethau mwyaf cost effeithiol.

“Mae llwyddiant cyfnod cyntaf One Digital yn dangos cymaint y gellir ei gyflawni pan mae gwahanol fudiadau’n gweithio gyda’i gilydd. Rydym yn arbennig o falch o fod wedi sefydlu carfan gref o Bencampwyr Digidol gyda diddordeb gweithredol ar y cyd mewn cefnogi cynhwysiant digidol. Edrychwn ymlaen at ail gyfnod One Digital a fydd yn ein galluogi i gefnogi llawer mwy o bobl i fynd ar-lein, dysgu sgiliau newydd a chael mwy allan o’r byd digidol.”

Dywedodd Joe Ferns, Cyfarwyddwr Gwybodaeth y Gronfa Loteri Fawr: “Mae’n bwysig bod gan bobl o bob oedran y cyfle i ddatblygu’r sgiliau digidol cywir. Bydd ariannu’r Loteri Genedlaethol yn galluogi cymunedau ledled y wlad i ddysgu o’i gilydd a bod yn hyderus wrth lywio’r byd digidol, boed wrth gael mynediad at wasanaethau ar-lein neu wrth gysylltu â ffrindiau.”

Mae partneriaid y consortiwm yn cynnwys Age UK, Citizens Online, Clarion Housing Group, Digital Unite a’r Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, a bydd y gwasanaeth yn cael ei gyflwyno trwy gannoedd o fudiadau lleol, gan roi cyfle i hyd yn oed mwy o bobl i gymryd rhan.