Purpose

To seek Cabinet
member approval to strengthen digital inclusion grants to VCS
organisations across Derbyshire via grant funding to be
administrated by Digital Support Derbyshire (RAD).
 

Decision

That the Cabinet Member for Health and Communities approves
to strengthen digital inclusion work across Derbyshire by grant
funding Rural Action Derbyshire £0.050m to:

 

Administer additional digital inclusion small grants to
Voluntary Community Sector and Enterprise organisations across
Derbyshire; and

 

Coordinate the Digital Support Derbyshire Network (DSDN) for
an extra month until 31 March 2026.
 
 
 
 
 

Reasons for the decision

Agreeing to the additional funding outlined in this report
will strengthen and assist Derbyshire providers of community based
digital inclusion support, enabling more residents to become
digitally included, connected, and confident at a time when access
to healthcare and support services are needed the most.
 

Alternative options considered

Do nothing: Risk that without further reach into the
community during the winter months, vulnerable populations will
continue to be digitally excluded, increasing the risk of social
isolation, and barriers to accessing healthcare and essential
support. (Not preferred).