Digital Inclusion in North Tyneside – Residents’ Views and Practical Solutions

Healthwatch North Tyneside wanted to explore digital inclusion to feed into the North Tyneside Digital Inclusion Strategy and provide evidence and solutions for addressing digital inclusion in North Tyneside.  In January and February 2023, Healthwatch gathered feedback from 22 organisations across North Tyneside around digital inclusion. Over 500 people shared their experiences and ideas; from children to people in their 90s. This included residents, staff, volunteers and trustees.

Often the people who need the most help with technology are very reluctant to talk about it. They feel awkward and put on the spot. Talking about more basic devices like TVs and phones provides a helpful way in. The words ‘online’ and ‘digital’ are very off putting.

Many people feel technology is racing ahead and leaving them behind. Technology is becoming ever more complex and pressure to be online is increasing. Some people feel excluded and that their choices are being taken away. This can add to health inequalities by reducing access to support for health and wellbeing. Most people felt they struggled at times with technology, irrespective of their age, level of skill or confidence. Cost can be a limiting issue.

People engaged came up with the following ideas about how to make people more digitally included:

• Don’t focus on ‘digital’ and watch the language
• Take a person-centred approach when designing interventions
• Making every contact count
• Embedding in other activities
• Ideas on how to embed knowledge
• Financial support to buy and run technology
• Help to understand the choice of tech that is available and what to buy
• Information on support in North Tyneside
• Getting help or support, tiered by knowledge and confidence
• The need for a whole North Tyneside approach