We has secured funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to trial new ways of tackling digital exclusion among older residents.
The funding, which totals £138,106, has been awarded through the national Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. Enabling the council and its partners to help more residents aged 60 and over get online confidently and safely.
Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value said: “Digital access is no longer optional, it is essential. This funding allows us to work closely with residents to understand their real barriers and design solutions that make a lasting difference.
"We know many older residents struggle due to limited confidence, lack of skills, or difficulty accessing devices and reliable connectivity. This project will help us to better understand how we design solutions that work for the people and communities that need them most.”
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “Digital inclusion is increasingly vital for staying connected, accessing essential services, and managing daily life. This project puts Greenwich at the forefront of digital inclusion innovation.
"By working alongside partners like DG Cities and sharing our learning nationally, we’re helping shape how councils across the country support residents in the digital age.”
Building on earlier successful work, Greenwich will lead a group of local authorities including Haringey, Ealing, Leicester, and North East Lincolnshire. The project will use Behavioural Systems Mapping, an approach that combines behavioural science with systems thinking to better understand why digital exclusion happens and how services can respond.
The pilot will take place across five areas in the borough including Horn Park, which has the highest levels of digital exclusion. Earlier engagement highlighted clear barriers faced by older residents, making it an ideal neighbourhood to test approaches that can be scaled across the borough.
The project will also create a national toolkit so other councils and the third sector can benefit from the learning.
The work will be delivered in close partnership with DG Cities, who bring expertise in digital innovation, engagement and evaluation. They will help run workshops, support community involvement and develop tools that can be used long after the project ends.