Walsall Connected Annual Report - Year Four - Empowering residents through digital inclusion

Walsall Connected continues to play a vital role in tackling digital exclusion across the borough by providing tailored digital support to residents who face barriers to accessing online services and developing essential digital skills. The programme helps address digital poverty by ensuring individuals have the access, confidence and support required to engage with digital technology safely, effectively and independently.

The service delivers a borough-wide offer through a network of community-based and locality-focused centres, schools, and voluntary and community sector partners. This collaborative approach enables support to be delivered within local communities, ensuring residents can access assistance in familiar and trusted settings.

Support includes access to digital devices and connectivity, basic digital skills training, and one-to-one assistance with practical online tasks. This includes helping residents access Walsall Council services, navigate online resources, improve digital confidence and connect with wider support services where appropriate.

Walsall Connected plays an important role in reducing inequalities and supporting broader Council priorities, including financial inclusion, education and employment opportunities, health and wellbeing, and community resilience. By working in partnership with local organisations and stakeholders, the programme ensures that digital inclusion support remains accessible, responsive and aligned to the needs of Walsall residents.