Service Impact: Digital Skills Pilot Programmes
This month marks the conclusion of a 12-month pilot programme delivered by our
Outreach Digital Skills Training team. Over the course of the year, the programme
reached 395 clients from diverse backgrounds across communities in rural Sevenoaks,
Edenbridge, and Tonbridge & Malling.
This achievement was made possible through collaboration with several organisations
and funding from trusts and foundations and local authorities including Tonbridge & Malling
Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council.
Our Outreach team supported adults of all ages, helping them build confidence using the internet
and digital devices to gain access to online services and lead more independent lives.
Employability Support Pilot
A participant came to the sessions seeking support with digital skills after being made
redundant from a long-term role. With the help of our trainer, he learned how to connect
with others on LinkedIn, update his profile, share his skills, and improve his knowledge
to support his employability in today’s job market. He was extremely grateful and ultimately
found a job through a LinkedIn advert. He shared, “These sessions have been great. I now
have a plan to work on.”
“The Outreach team from Compaid have provided first rate digital skills support to our clients.
The recent pilot project, led by Sara, has produced immediate and positive results for those
struggling to connect with employment opportunities and services online. The 1:1 sessions
were focused on individual needs and produced some great results. I warmly recommend
Compaid as a partner of choice.” – Centre Manager
Grow19 SEN Pilot
Another area of funding allowed us to deliver a 6-week pilot of digital skills training sessions for
Grow19, a college in East Malling that serves young adults ages 18-25 who have special
education needs (SEN).
“Compaid came in to support our SEN learners over 6 weeks, and had each session planned
specifically to each learner. [Compaid’s trainer] Sara supported the learners to develop IT skills
and employability knowledge.Through the sessions, our learners were able to update their CV’s,
vocational profiles and other documents they might need to find their first jobs.
“Our learners used their communication skills to work with an unfamiliar adult, and Sara really
put [them] at ease and supported them to work through the relevant paperwork. It was a great
success all round!” – Angie, Grow19 Tutor
Tackling Digital Exclusion Through Targeted Outreach
Our team recently designed and delivered a series of Outreach pilot projects aimed at addressing
digital exclusion across all age groups. These initiatives provided tailored digital skills training,
specifically developed to empower individuals with limited digital confidence.
By helping participants engage with online services, access essential information, and enhance
their employability in today’s job market, the pilots made a measurable impact in promoting digital
inclusion.
The outcomes clearly demonstrated that digital exclusion remains a significant barrier for many
and that with the right support, individuals can build the skills and confidence they need to thrive
in an increasingly digital world.
The success of the pilot projects has reinforced several key insights:
- Digital exclusion is not age-specific; people of all ages may lack the digital skills or
confidence needed to navigate online environments. - Flexibility is essential; not everyone benefits from or is comfortable with formal training
settings. Informal, personalised one-to-one sessions can have a powerful impact, especially
for those who find classroom environments challenging. - Digital confidence is a necessity; having the skills to participate online is no longer optional;
it is essential for full participation in society and the workforce.
Looking Ahead
Building on this success, we are committed to ongoing evaluation and expansion of our
Outreach Training programmes. Continued investment in digital inclusion efforts will enable us
to extend our reach and support even more individuals in bridging the digital divide.
We are especially grateful for the recent Trust funding support, which will allow us to expand
the delivery of our Outreach Digital Skills Training to additional communities across Kent.
We look forward to growing the programme’s impact and ensuring that everyone has the
opportunity to benefit from the digital world.