UK: Wales co-op to lead digital inclusion initiative

The Welsh Assembly Government launched a new project on 26 January 2006 that aims to achieve digital inclusion – social inclusion through the use of technology – in 132 of the most deprived areas in Wales. The project, called Communities@One, is being delivered and administered by the Wales Co-operative Centre, which holds responsibility to recruit, train and employ staff, manage the grant fund, service the advisory panel and undertake the administration and financial control of the project. It will involve a team of community brokers working with local level volunteers and members of community groups, including anybody from homeless people to pensioners, to help them engage with technology. It hopes to achieve this by demonstrating how technology can be relevant to the needs of people that don?t necessarily think that it?s part of their lives, and how it can help people to overcome difficulties, enhance their quality of life, and allow them to fulfill their social, economic and cultural potential. It will also give them the support they need to make the most of IT equipment that is already available to them via local community facilities. www.walescoop.com