The Building Digital Skills Fund has so far allocated £688,000 to eight charities to support people across the city by boosting their digital skills and confidence, providing access to affordable data and broadband, and ensuring they have the necessary equipment such as mobile Wi-Fi devices.

Organisations that will benefit from the fund are Cranhill Development Trust, Fuse Youth Café, Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Govan Community Project, Maryhill Integration Network, Rosemount Lifelong Learning, South West Arts and Music Project (SWAMP), and The Whiteinch Centre.

Each of the charities receiving support from the first round of funding have been selected for the crucial role they play in promoting digital inclusion throughout their communities.

Fuse Youth Café, for example, in Shettleston offers a safe space for local people to develop key digital skills, such as using search engines. Meanwhile, Maryhill Integration Network is providing free IT classes for the community and the Govan Community Project is providing asylum seekers in the local area with access to digital equipment to keep in contact with their family members outside of Glasgow.

An estimated 44,450 people living in Glasgow do not have internet access, according to the most recent Glasgow Household Survey. The Building Digital Skills Fund will assist in bridging the divide, with funding to help with access to equipment and key digital skills, including using internet platforms for applying for jobs and college courses and using search engines. Studies have also shown that enhanced digital access can improve people’s ability to understand and use health information to inform lifestyle and health decisions, making a positive impact on their wellbeing.

Lauren McKenzie, ambassador for the HFD Charitable Foundation, said: “Through the Building Digital Skills Fund, our mission is to support good causes across Glasgow over the next three years to make a substantial difference in their local communities.

“By engaging with several charities during the process of setting up the fund, we were able to understand what support they require to make a lasting, meaningful change. Digital skills were highlighted as a key area and, with access to equipment and the knowledge of how to use different platforms, it can make a big difference to people’s wellbeing, financial situation and social connections. This set of awards is just the start of what we aim to achieve through the fund. We hope to support many more charities in the future to promote digital inclusion.”

The launch of the fund builds on a successful partnership between the HFD Charitable Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation, which saw the Community Anchors’ Fund Glasgow deliver over £1 million to Glasgow-based community groups and charities between 2020-2023.

Nancy Doyle-Hall, executive director at the Virgin Money Foundation, added: “Over the past five years it has been a privilege to get to know community anchor organisations across Glasgow who are making a significant difference to their local area. We have learnt that digital inclusion is a vital gateway for people to be able to access key services, increase their income and build new social connections. Through the Building Digital Skills Fund we are proud to support these organisations to increase the digital connectivity and digital confidence of local people.”