Preston Digital Cooperative launches to promote digital inclusion across city

Preston City Council are set to become a founding member of Preston Digital Cooperative (PDC), an initiative to promote digital inclusion across the city.

The PDC aims to deploy digital infrastructure including areas of free wifi, and the development of digital skills which are needed to access more public and private services.

Digital exclusion can lead to social isolation and economic deprivation – with people experiencing this facing greater challenges.

The cooperative is being set up as a way to bring together public, voluntary and private organisations.

It will use the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to help provide free connectivity in some areas, refurbished devices for residents who need them, and free digital skills training.

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader at Preston City Council, said: “As a growing number of its own services are now digitally based, it is important that the Council leads by example. The work of the Preston Digital Cooperative will help to tackle the digital divide and improve digital inclusion, ensuring that our residents have equal access. It also fits with our Community Wealth Building principles of anchor collaboration and democratic ownership.

“Once established, Preston Digital Cooperative will provide free public wifi in selected areas of the city, access to devices for those residents who do not have them, and basic support for residents who lack digital literacy skills.

“The greatest impact will be on the health, wellbeing, and life opportunities of our residents, which as a Council we want to address.

“In the longer term, we will explore how Preston Digital Cooperative can be an alternative, ethical provider in the market working with and supporting our local communities and businesses.

“The Council’s overarching aim and vision for the UKSPF monies was for it to be used to build pride in place and increase the life chances of its residents.”

The Community Broadband Network will be amongst other organisations working with the council to find innovative ways to source, distribute devices and enable free wireless broadband connectivity.

The cooperative is also hoped to be another way of helping to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

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