Wales expands digital access for social housing residents
Cymru yn ehangu mynediad digidol i drigolion tai cymdeithasol
More people in social housing will soon become confident digital technology users, as the Welsh Government has expanded its successful Minimum Digital Living standard grants to reach more housing providers across Wales.
The Minimum Digital Living Standard establishes the minimum needs, defined by citizens and organisations, for digital inclusion in modern society.
Building on successful pilots with Monmouthshire and North Wales Housing Associations, the grants help social housing providers boost their residents' digital confidence and skills. Digital Communities Wales has supported the pilots, where required, with basic digital skills training for residents to use technology safely in their daily lives.
The pilot projects have shown clear benefits for residents. At North Wales Housing Association, workshops helped people overcome fears about online scams while enabling them to rediscover memories through virtual tours of meaningful places from their past.
North Wales Housing's Director of Operations, Claire Shiland, said: "Digital Communities Wales has been instrumental in helping North Wales Housing Association navigate and explore a Minimum Digital Living Standard with our residents. Their expertise and collaborative approach have enabled us to better understand the digital needs of our residents. It has been more about the simple measures of access and skills, it is a stepping stone towards helping us to begin shaping a more inclusive, digitally confident community."
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: "Wales has been leading the way on digital inclusion for over ten years, and I'm exceptionally proud of our work on the Minimum Digital Living Standard. This citizen-centred approach recognises that digital inclusion means more than just internet access – it's about having the essential digital goods, services and skills to fully participate in modern life.
"Digital exclusion often reflects wider inequalities in society. That's why we're taking bold steps to ensure everyone can benefit from digital technology if they choose to."
The Welsh Government continues to work with the University of Liverpool, alongside Cwmpas, Loughborough University and Good Things Foundation, to ensure the standard acts as a framework towards universal digital inclusion.
Registered Social Housing Landlords can now apply to join the expanded programme until 9 June, with successful projects starting in July.
Notes to editors
Welsh Government digital inclusion and health procured service contract delivered by Cwmpas: www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales
Case study video: North Wales Housing - https://youtu.be/M-g3vmBvb6c?si=yKx4erw1vJSG_lh1
Additional quotes: Professor of Digital Culture, Department of Communication and Media, University of Liverpool, Prof. Simeon Yates, said: “It has been a significant benefit for the Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) team to work with the Welsh Government to develop further insights and advance the MDLS as a tool for policy and practice. The additional research conducted in Wales with households and stakeholder organisations has provided depth and validation for the MDLS. It has offered insights into the experiences of households below the MDLS and how organisations can use the MDLS to support digital inclusion in Wales. These include DIAW, CWMPAS, and, of course, the Welsh Government. The work in Wales established a foundation for the team to collaborate with the Scottish Government to assess the use of the MDLS there. The MDLS and the efforts of the Welsh Government are cited in the new UK cross-Government Digital Inclusion Action Plan.”
Director of Evidence and Engagement, Good Things Foundation, Dr Emma Stone, said: “Welsh Government has started putting the Minimum Digital Living Standard for Wales into action, using MDLS Wales to guide its approach to funding digital inclusion pilots. Using MDLS Wales to guide procurement, as well as policy, in digital inclusion - and to catalyse cross-sector action - is a positive, practical way to move forward, staying grounded in what members of the public say households need to feel digitally included today.”