Supporting Digital Engagement - An Intervention with Sheffield Homes

This social science based knowledge exchange project is a collaborative intervention in the area of digital inclusion. The project will support Sheffield City Council (SCC) and Sheffield Homes (SH) in addressing a well-defined and pressing policy need to increase digital engagement among social housing tenants. Context Providers of social and community services in the public and third sector currently face major constraints on available funding. 1. Digital technology solutions, such as online payments and service bookings, have been proposed as routes to major cost savings. 2. The major users of social and community services include the bulk of citizens who are currently digitally excluded or disadvantaged. 3. Moving services "on-line" may therefore further disadvantage these groups in their access to services. 4. Lack of uptake of digital services by members of these communities may also limit the financial impact of the technology solutions. Proposal This project proposes to apply knowledge gained from a number of funded projects, for example: 1. Community ICT Engagement Strategies (ESRC) 2. Bridging the Global Digital Divide Network (EPSRC) 3. Practical Design for Social Action (AHRC) 4. Rural e-services: Participatory co-design of Sustainable Software and Business Systems in Rural Co-operatives (EPSRC) 5. Burmese Community Reporters - ICT in Education Research: practices, innovations and policy (BIS / NIACE) These projects provide the SHU team with a strong knowledge base in the issues of digital exclusion, digital engagement and community collaboration and intervention with regard to ICT system use and deign. The collaboration will be based upon a specific intervention case study in a target social housing area of Sheffield. The collaboration will have the following stages: 1. A survey and review of the current levels of digital exclusion and engagement in the target area - this will include access to technologies, level of use and attitudes to digital systems and services 2. Analysis of the data from 1] to determine with partners which of the available strategies might have greatest impact - potential solutions include community based training and support; community based ICT resources; community based technology solutions (e.g. WiMAX); or community marketing and communication campaigns. 3. Implementation of one or more interventions. 4. Action research based review of the interventions and their effectiveness in addressing digital exclusion and engagement. 5. Report to partners on the effectiveness of interventions and the community impacts and cost-benefit with regard to the likely implementation of digital services.