Today is End Digital Poverty Day, a national call to action to make sure everyone has the skills, tools, and confidence to thrive in our digital world. At Starting Point, we see every day how digital exclusion impacts people’s lives – and how, with the right support, things can change.
Clara and Nicola at Bredbury Library – End Digital Poverty Day Drop In
Anita was referred to us in December 2024 by her Employment Support Officer. She needed help with both a laptop and digital skills. Together, we explored our DigiKnow Device Lending Library and also encouraged her to speak to her Job Coach about the Flexible Support Fund, which can help cover the cost of equipment. Thanks to this, Anita was able to secure her own laptop for £60 from the fabulous Community Computers and chose to join our weekly digital support sessions at Cornerstone.
With the help of our Digital Champions, Anita began building her confidence using her laptop. She wanted to learn skills that would help her find work – particularly Microsoft Word and Excel. Along the way, she also received support for day-to-day online challenges, such as reporting repairs to Stockport Homes and applying for funded childcare.
Like many people we work with, Anita’s journey hasn’t been straightforward. Life’s challenges, including caring for her son during a period of poor health, meant she couldn’t always attend regularly. But our welfare calls helped her stay connected with us, and she told us how much she valued knowing that support was there when she was ready to return.
When Anita came back, she needed help with something urgent – applying for Free School Meals for her son. Despite being eligible, she had been rejected five times due to missed emails and a small typo in the email address she had been using. With some investigation and support, we were able to contact the right team, resolve the issue, and ensure her son received the meals he was entitled to.
Her relief was immediate. She told us:
“After five months I can’t believe it, everything is perfect, oh my god, it’s been so hard – today is a positive day! I’m trying to study, I’m trying to find work but then things can be made so hard to understand.’’
Stories like Anita’s remind us that digital inclusion is about much more than just technology. It’s about people being able to access their rights, provide for their families, and feel confident navigating the systems that shape and enhance their lives.
Starting Point’s work with Stockport Council, Library Services and partners, and our ability to provide data from The Good Things Foundation Databank means that we can work towards a world where we really do support people with the cost and confidence to be online.
On End Digital Poverty Day, we stand with organisations across the UK calling for a future where everyone has:
- Access to an affordable device and internet connection
- The skills to use them confidently
- The support to overcome barriers when life gets complicated
At Starting Point, we’re committed to making that future a reality – one person, one family, one community at a time.
Our databank drop-in sessions run:
- Every Thursday 10 -12noon from Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport.
- Every Friday 1-2pm Bredbury Library, George Lane, Stockport.
We also run drop in session (skills only):
- Every Thursday 10.30am – 12.30pm from Cornerstone, Edward Street, Stockport. Every Tuesday 10-12noon from Start Point Coffee Shop, Woodley Precinct, Stockport.