Hundreds of people from the North East tech community have lent their support to a new fund aimed at tackling digital poverty across the region.
Dynamo’s inaugural North East Tech Charity Dinner, held at Wylam Brewery last week, saw nearly 200 guests come together to raise funds and celebrate the launch of the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund.
Initiated by Dynamo North East, a not-for-profit tech sector membership organisation and managed by the Community Foundation, the fund aims to support initiatives to help people gain confidence in digital technologies and create pathways into employment.
Businesses, entrepreneurs and foundations from across the region have already raised over £40,000 towards the fund.
A donation by the Reece Foundation and a matching fund of £20,000 pledged by Tony and Anne Platten have also helped to launch the initiative.
The UK Government last month launched a dedicated Digital Inclusion Action Plan to help close the digital divide in the UK, ensuring that the benefits of technology can be felt by all.
According to Lloyds Bank, over 1.6 million people in the UK are currently living offline, with the North East having some of the lowest levels of digital capability.
Common causes of this can include people suffering worse health outcomes, higher costs when shopping for everyday items and being over five times more likely to be unemployed.
Through the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund however, Dynamo is seeking to tackle the root cause of the problem, by supporting initiatives which provide people with the confidence and skills to be more digitally capable.
“We are incredibly proud as an organisation to be leading the charge to improve digital inclusion and to be helping lift communities across the region out of digital poverty,” said Dr David Dunn, CEO of Dynamo North East.
“It is disappointing in this day and age that so many people in the region are digitally excluded, meaning they don’t have the skills, confidence, devices or connectivity to reap the benefits of technology.
“Digital inclusion is a key driver of economic growth and is key to bridging the digital skills divide, which is why it’s so important that we tackle the issue at the root cause and do all we can to level the playing field.
“This is why we launched the Dynamo North East Digital Inclusion Fund, to bring together people from across the industry to tackle digital poverty and to ensure people from all backgrounds and communities benefit from the life-changing opportunities that will be presented as our sector continues to grow.”
Gateshead College, Ward Hadaway, and ACT The App Association all sponsored the networking dinner.
Phil O’Neil, head of digital and games department at Gateshead College, added: “We’re delighted to have sponsored the first Dynamo North East Tech Charity Dinner, which is helping to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.
“Gateshead College got involved as we’re passionate as an organisation about tackling digital poverty and this is a great way of us helping to do just that.
“It’s such an important cause which will go a long way to helping ensure everyone in the North East has the social mobility to move into jobs and lead a better life.”