Voneus supports mission to tackle digital exclusion in Cumbria

The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), in partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation and Voneus, is taking a major step forward in its mission to tackle digital exclusion by expanding the Tech4Youth programme to the Solway area. This significant launch, timed to coincide with End Digital Poverty Day, aims to equip hundreds of young people in the region with the digital tools and skills they need to succeed in today’s technology-driven world.

As technology becomes increasingly vital to education and career development, the Tech4Youth programme is committed to empowering young people with the resources they need to succeed. This expansion will support upwards of 300 young people, aged 11 to 19, in Solway and surrounding communities including Silloth, Wigton, Maryport, and Aspatria by providing laptops, free broadband access, and digital literacy workshops. These resources are designed to help participants fully engage with their education and prepare for future opportunities in an increasingly connected world.

“Access to digital resources is no longer optional – it’s essential for young people’s success,” said Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance. “Expanding the Tech4Youth programme to Solway on End Digital Poverty Day represents a crucial step in our mission to provide every young person with the tools they need to thrive. We’re building on the progress made in Northwest Leicestershire and are eager to see the positive impact this initiative will have on the lives of young people in Solway.”

End Digital Poverty Day, established by the DPA in 2023, is a national day of action focused on raising awareness and driving efforts to eliminate digital poverty across the UK. The expansion of Tech4Youth underscores the importance of creating equal opportunities for young people to succeed in a digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances.

This expansion has been made possible through the support of the Macquarie Group Foundation and Voneus, whose commitment ensures that those most affected by digital exclusion will gain access to the tools and skills they need. Together with its partners, the DPA is dedicated to developing scalable solutions that can be implemented in other regions, advancing the goal of ending digital poverty nationwide.

Rachel Engel, Regional Head of the Macquarie Group Foundation, EMEA

"We are pleased to support this initiative that will provide underrepresented communities in Solway and surrounding areas with greater access to digital devices and fast affordable connectivity. Much of the Macquarie Group Foundation’s work is focused on helping people overcome barriers to employment and this project has the potential to open up a range of new opportunities both for education and employment."

Christopher Traggio, CEO of Voneus

We are proud to be joining the Digital Poverty Alliance’s mission to combat digital poverty in the Cumbria area. In partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation, we are helping to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that more people have the necessary online access for education, work, and essential services. This programme is particularly vital in areas like Cumbria where connectivity issues often exacerbate digital exclusion, and we hope to extend this work to further Voneus communities in Cumbria in the future.

This project is kindly supported by Voneus and funded by the Macquarie Group Foundation.

For more information please visit: Tech4Youth programme (digitalpovertyalliance.org)