Reflecting on the power of partnerships: 6 years of working with Cwmpas

A few weeks ago, on a sunny day in June, I spoke at an online event celebrating the achievements of the 6 year partnership between Cwmpas and Good Things Foundation in delivering the Digital Communities Wales Programme, funded by the Welsh Government. We heard from staff from both organisations and spent time sharing stories and good digital inclusion practice in Wales as well as hearing from some organisations doing incredible Digital Inclusion work in their communities.

Major achievements for digital inclusion in Wales

There was a lot to celebrate!  

At a national level, we have supported Cwmpas in developing the Digital Inclusion Alliance Wales.   With over 100 members, the Alliance demonstrates the best sort of cooperation between public and third sector organisations, private sector companies and academia, all focused on ensuring that everyone who wants to in Wales is able to access and use digital tools and technologies in their everyday lives and has the confidence to do so.

We have collaborated on pioneering work to develop a Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) for Wales;  a bottom up, holistic approach to digital living which provides a benchmark below which families and individuals may find it difficult to take part in our society safely and with confidence. Wales is leading the way in advocating for, developing, and applying the benchmark.

We have worked together to ensure that Learn My Way, our free online platform that helps people gain basic digital skills and build confidence in using the internet, is kept relevant for a Welsh audience.  Most recently we have coproduced new health pages to reflect the Welsh NHS app and local health systems. Welsh Government continues to support the Welsh language version too, reflecting the importance of language parity in learning provision for basic digital - and digital media literacy - skills.

Driving digital inclusion impact in Wales

Our collective impact is impressive too! 

Over 280 new organisations have joined the National  Digital Inclusion Network in Wales over the last 6 years, bringing the total number to over 570 organisations. The nature of these organisations has never been more diverse, with local authorities, foodbanks, women's refuges, housing associations all joining the network to help support their clients and community members to be more digitally included.

85 organisations have given out 815 devices from the National Device Bank run by Good Things Foundation; and 180 Welsh organisations have become local partners of the National Databank,  and have given out over 23,706 data sims and vouchers.

Power in community digital inclusion partnerships

As I reflected on the event, I realised that what had stayed with me the most was what our collaboration has helped to deliver for people who are supporting digital inclusion right in the heart of their communities.

Gypsies Travellers Wales have been building long term relationships and trust and ensuring ongoing access to learning and the internet by supporting community members with data and AI apps. Age Connects Torfaen works across the borough supporting people with dementia and their carers to improve quality of life with digital skills training and a range of hugely innovative digital ideas. And Generation Rhondda have been building connections right across Rhondda by taking digital support to wherever people gather together in pubs, clubs and schools. 

Now that's the real power of partnership!