As part of the government’s Digital Deal, A2Dominion was awarded £40,000 of ‘match funding’ to help around 1,300 tenants get online through its Digital DIY project.
As well as delivering a ‘train the trainer’ programme to create a network of staff and volunteer mentors who will support tenants in getting online, A2Dominion is working with the award-winning social enterprise Student@Home which brings trustworthy and knowledgeable IT students into tenants’ homes to help solve computer and technology issues.
Student@Home gives students struggling for work experience the opportunity to gain employment, while at the same time providing a cost-effective support service for local residents needing help with technology. Student@Home has also designed a series of IT educational materials for the Digital DIY project which are being digitalised into a series of one minute videos.
Heather David, head of community involvement, A2Dominion, said, “Following welfare reform changes, many residents’ benefits are now paid direct into their bank accounts. Our Digital DIY project aims to help tenants get online to make payments and keep track of their rent accounts and benefits, helping to avoid the risk of rent arrears.”
