Digital Inclusion Wales Grant: grants awarded

Accessibility Powys

This project will test whether portable satellite connectivity can help disabled residents in rural Powys reach the Minimum Digital Living Standard. As a pan disability DPO delivering county wide outreach, we will use satellite technology to bring real time digital access into homes with no broadband, no mobile signal and no ability to travel. Working with Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council, we will support residents to experience essential online health, benefits and communication tools, build confidence, and assess whether satellite enabled outreach can provide a viable pathway to achieving a basic, safe and inclusive digital life. (Powys)

Neath Port Talbot Council

This project uses falls related safety as a trusted and motivating entry point to help digitally excluded older people engage with simple smart technology. Individuals will be able to loan a “falls prevention smart tech kit” and receive hands on digital support to build confidence, skills and safer home routines. By linking digital tools to what matters most, feeling safe at home and maintaining wellbeing, the project creates a natural route into wider digital inclusion, while also exploring whether smart technology may contribute to reducing falls risk. (Neath Port Talbot)

Swansea MAD

Immersive Youth Work Spaces is an alpha‑phase innovation pilot using VR/AR/XR to create safe, virtual youth work spaces for marginalised young people in Swansea and nearby areas. The project will test how immersive technology can improve digital skills, confidence, wellbeing and connection for young people who face barriers to accessing face‑to‑face provision, while complementing existing youth work. Co‑designed with young people, the pilot will generate practical learning, digital safeguarding guidance and resources for the wider youth work sector in Wales, supporting national digital inclusion and youth work strategies. (Swansea)

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Digital Health Access Pilot will test an innovative, integrated approach to reducing digital exclusion, strengthen digital health literacy for patients using NHS Wales App, Patient Knows Best (PKB), Health Apps Library and BadgerNet Maternity across Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. The pilot combines refurbished device vouchers, connectivity support (data SIMs, social tariff guidance), bilingual digital health literacy resources (videos, guides, e learning) a Train the Trainer model for community partners and internal staff networks. Working with Programme Managers and the Regional Digital Inclusion Steering Group, this Alpha proof of concept addresses barriers of skills, confidence, device access, connectivity and health literacy. (Carmarthenshire)

Innovate Trust

Testing whether accessible assistive technology, matched to assessed needs, enables digital skills, safety, and independence for adults with disabilities, physical and sensory impairments in supported living and whilst accessing the community to meet the MDLS. 10 participants will receive either CPR Guardian smartwatches (Swansea designed device with 4G communication, GPS tracking, and health monitoring) or Doro simplified smartphones (accessible interface for digital engagement and smart home control), based on individual assessment. Alpha phase tests device effectiveness, assessment accuracy, and sustained usage over 12 months. (Cardiff)

Neath Port Talbot College

This project delivers a targeted digital inclusion and digital wellbeing programme for learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and their parents/carers supporting their learning. The programme will proactively build digital confidence, independence and online safety skills, addressing known barriers faced at the key transition point into further education. Delivered collaboratively across teaching teams, learner support and Library Services, the programme will be supported by partnership with NSPCC, providing expert digital safeguarding guidance and nationally recognised online safety resources. The project will deliver accessible, bilingual support that complements existing provision, reduces digital exclusion, promotes equity, and embeds sustainable digital wellbeing. (Neath Port Talbot)

Foothold Cymru

Digital Lifelines for Llanelli will tackle severe digital exclusion in the wards of Tyisha, Bigyn and Glanymor, where poverty, poor health and low digital confidence limit access to vital services and opportunities. Building on Foothold Cymru’s trusted food, warm hub and community projects, the project will offer outreach workshops, one-to-one support, refurbished devices and connectivity, all aligned with the Minimum Digital Living Standard. Local Digital Champions with lived experience will co-deliver support, embed digital inclusion into everyday services and strengthen partnerships, creating a sustainable model that continues beyond the three-year core funding grant. (Carmarthenshire)

The CAE (Centre for African Entrepreneurship)

This project strengthens digital inclusion for migrant and economically disadvantaged communities in Swansea through a trusted, community-led Digital Hub. Delivered from The CAE’s Community Enterprise Hub, the project will provide access to devices, connectivity, and essential digital skills, alongside confidence-building and online safety support.

Digital inclusion will be embedded within employability, wellbeing and advice services, ensuring people can communicate, access public services, and engage with opportunities safely and independently. The project supports the Minimum Digital Living Standard and contributes to a more equal, resilient and connected Wales. (Swansea)

Mental Health Matters Wales

Digital Well-being Champions for Bridgend and Treorchy is a 3-year, place-based digital inclusion project delivered across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg footprint, led by Mental Health Matters Wales in partnership with Cwmpas. A dedicated Programme Coordinator (18.5 hours per-week) will manage delivery through community hubs and outreach, embedding trained Digital Well-being Champions to support people experiencing digital exclusion. The project combines face-to-face support, practical digital skills, device and connectivity access, and confidence building aligned with the Minimum Digital Living Standard. Over 3yrs, 12 Volunteer Digital Community Champions will be developed, creating a sustainable local digital support workforce beyond the grant period. (Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf)

Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil

Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil will deliver targeted digital inclusion support to residents across Merthyr Tydfil who are digitally excluded

due to age, disability, health conditions, caring responsibilities or low income. Through one-to-one support, small group workshops and community-based delivery, the project will help people access appropriate devices and connectivity, build essential digital skills, and use online services safely and with confidence. Support will focus on everyday tasks such as email, online forms, health services, banking, shopping and video calling to reduce isolation. Embedded within advice, health and banking services, the project will improve access to essential services, strengthen independence and contribute to achieving a MDLS. (Merthyr Tydfil)

ReSource Denbighshire CIC

ReSource CIC will deliver a dedicated digital inclusion service led by a 20 hour per week Digital Lead who will coordinate personalised support for all, focusing on those most excluded including disabled, neurodivergent and digitally isolated individuals. The project will go beyond basic device help by offering confidence building digital learning, creative technologies, and green digital skills, supported by trained Digital Community Champion staff and volunteers. Capital funding will provide, iPads, laptops and WiFi units, enabling people without devices or broadband to get online. Investment in advanced creative technology will increase interest and support progression. (Denbighshire) 

Lymphoedema Wales Clinical Network

This project will establish a bilingual Digital Engagement and Wellbeing Information (DEWI) Health Hub for patients with lymphoedema (long term swelling) in Keir Hardie Health Park. Trained staff will

offer structured, face to face digital support to improve the digital confidence, skills and access for people from deprived communities as part of a waiting well initiative. Patients will be supported to complete their digital health assessment (as part of usual care) and be supported to use the NHS Wales app to support self-management. Together this will reduce digital barriers, support selfcare,

improve service engagement and embed sustainable digital inclusion within routine lymphoedema care. (Merthyr Tydfil)

Citizens Advice Bridgend

This project will deliver a place-based digital inclusion programme across Bridgend County Borough, responding to locally evidenced gaps in connectivity, device access, digital skills and online safety, particularly affecting older adults, low-income households and isolated communities. Through community-based delivery, residents will receive practical support with affordable internet access, devices, essential digital skills and safe use of online services. The project will embed digital inclusion into organisational practice, develop staff and partner digital champions, and strengthen local capacity to deliver sustainable, bilingual support that continues beyond the funding period. (Bridgend)

Eileen’s

Llwybrau Digidol Eileen’s/Eileen’s Digital Pathway project will deliver place-based digital inclusion support through Eileen’s Post Office and community shop in Merlin’s Bridge, Haverfordwest. As local banks and face-to-face services have closed, Eileen’s has become a key access point for residents who are digitally excluded. The project will train frontline staff as Digital Champions to provide trusted, bilingual 1:1 support to help people access essential online services safely and confidently. It will support access to devices and basic digital skills where needed, use digital mapping to connect people to local green spaces, and embed sustainable digital practices to protect this vital community hub. (Pembrokeshire)