Young carers will be ablt to gain access to digital connectivity in the Fens of South Cambridgeshire in a new programme launched by the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA).
The programme, backed by an education tech specialist and telco, will provide both technology and access to technology education.
Tech4Young Carers has been formed to tackle digital poverty among young carers in South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire and will provide devices, internet connectivity and digital skills training. Digital access will be provided to 100 young carers that are aged between 14 and 25 years old who provide unpaid care to family members or friends that have a long term illness, terminal illness, a disability, mental health condition, addiction issues or have age-related frailty, Tech4Young Carers said.
“The Tech4Young Carers scheme is designed to address this issue directly by providing devices, connectivity, and skills workshops tailored specifically to the needs of young carers, including how to stay safe online,” Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said.
“By equipping these individuals with the tools they need, we aim to bridge the digital divide and support young carers in fully participating in their education and personal development. Our goal is to help them build a brighter future despite the barriers they face.”
Workshops and impact
The young carers will be offered digital literacy workshops to ensure they remain safe online. To gauge the success of the programme, Nottingham Trent University will monitor the impact and involve one of the young carers in the research team.
Being a young carer can lead to lower educational and personal growth, the Digital Poverty Alliance said. A study by Disability Rights UK found that 33% of households where an adult has a disability live in poverty, and that half of those households are also digitally excluded.
The Digital Poverty Alliance has partnered with school broadband provider E2BN, Centre33, a local charity for the homeless, major telco Virgin Media O2 and Nottingham Trent University to deliver Tech4Young Carers.
Young carers can apply to be part of the programme at digitalpovertyalliance.org/tech4youngcarers
