How Media Is Made

Power To All People

THE DIGITALLY EXCLUDED

The digital world we live in now can make a significant difference to people's lives. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to gain access to it – either through lack of money or lack of understanding. That's why Virgin Media is doing everything it can to address these problems of digital inclusion and literacy throughout the whole of society. Older people, and especially those from disadvantaged communities, are one area of society that has been identified as being digitally excluded.

INTERNET FOR EVERYONE

In 2008, Virgin Media launched a project to provide greater access to the internet for the elderly among disadvantaged communities. The project was set up with Digital Unite, an organisation that helps older people get online. The programme provided 17 sheltered housing schemes with a 'get online' package - containing free broadband for a year, 2 computers per scheme, software and accessories, plus a 7-week training programme delivered by Digital Unite. Each centre that took part had a tutor who set up the system and then provided the training - from explaining how to use a mouse to registering an email address.

Residents at the sheltered housing schemes were really happy with the scheme with 71% of participants saying they'd continue to use a computer and the internet.

One housing scheme has even linked up with a local school to provide residents with continued support now the training has finished.

'I can't say I don't know how to switch it on anymore, but I can now say I'm hooked!’

'I think it's wonderful that we older people have the opportunity to acquire computer skills'

Virgin Media employees also got involved by inviting their grandparents and elderly relatives into the offices across the country in support of Digital Unite's Silver Surfers' Day campaign, helping to get them up to speed with computers and the internet.

LESSONS LEARNED

Virgin Media have helped many people to realise that there is a world out there to connect to. This improvement in digital inclusion also helps those that are socially excluded, improving quality of life and allowing people to explore the world of media further and with confidence. It is the training that comes with these packages that helps these people to build an understanding of media and pushes them to start questioning what they are looking at and what they are reading.

To find out more about Virgin Media's Corporate Responsibility, go to www.virginmedia.com/responsibility

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