How volunteers are tackling the digital divide

December 5th marks International Volunteer Day, celebrating volunteers around the world. As a Community Partnerships Manager at Good Things Foundation, I work with hundreds of organisations across the UK who are tackling digital exclusion in their communities. What strikes me time and again is how much of this vital work depends on volunteers. Simply put, without volunteers, our work wouldn't happen.

Volunteers making a difference in local communities

The National Digital Inclusion Network stands out as something truly unique: a nationwide network of local places with friendly faces, ready to help people gain the digital skills and confidence they need. From community centres to libraries, these hubs offer personalised support in welcoming environments. What makes this possible? Volunteers like Kevin who give their time to ensure no one is left behind in an increasingly digital world.

Kevin and the many volunteers working to support digital inclusion - like our digital champions - understand that providing this help opens doors to jobs, healthcare, benefits, and staying connected with family and friends - support that changes lives.

Our network engagement volunteers

We're also incredibly lucky to have a brilliant team of network engagement volunteers who help us stay connected with hubs across the country. They're the ones making sure organisations know about resources and events that might be useful to them.

The numbers tell part of the story. Since April 2022, they've made nearly 4,000 calls to over 2,500 different organisations. In the past year alone, they've promoted Get Online Week and the resources available to organisations planning events, contacted newly joined hubs to make sure they know what support is available, and shared news about device bank rounds opening in areas like London.

But what the numbers don't capture is the relationships they build and the insights they bring back to us. They're our advocates and champions in the wider community, helping us understand what's really happening on the ground.

What's next for volunteers

As our organisation evolves, I'm excited about developing the role of our volunteer team. We're looking at how volunteers can support and strengthen our work over the next three years and exploring new ways for people to get involved and make a real difference.

Millions of people in the UK still don't have the digital skills or access they need. But when I think about our volunteers - giving their time, sharing their knowledge, building connections in their communities - I'm reminded that tackling the digital divide is about people helping people.

To everyone who volunteers to support digital inclusion: thank you. You are the friendly faces and patient teachers making this work possible.