Five charities across the west of Scotland have received a share of £493,330 through the latest round of the Building Digital Skills Fund, a partnership between the HFD Charitable Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation.
The fund helps community groups and charities tackle digital inequality by building skills and confidence, improving access to affordable data and broadband, and providing essential equipment such as mobile Wi-Fi devices.
Now in its third round, the programme is expanding beyond Glasgow for the first time, reaching charities in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, and Paisley, alongside projects within the city itself.
The organisations receiving funding are Active Communities, Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse (FARE), Your Voice Inverclyde Community Care Forum, North West Women’s Centre, and The Tannahill Centre. This latest award brings the total funding to £1.8 million since the programme was launched in 2024, with 20 charities supported.
Glasgow experiences some of the highest levels of digital exclusion in the UK. Research by students at the University of Glasgow found that nearly half of the city’s non-internet users come from the most deprived socio-economic groups. The Building Digital Skills Fund was established to help bridge this gap by supporting access to equipment and teaching essential digital skills, from applying for jobs and college courses to safely navigating the internet.
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Lauren McKenzie, trustee of the HFD Charitable Foundation, said: “As the fund moves into its third round, it’s really encouraging to see its impact reaching new areas. We know that having access to digital skills and connectivity can open up opportunities, whether that’s accessing services, improving employability, or reducing isolation.
“These organisations are doing vital work in their communities, and we’re proud to support them as they help more people build confidence in the digital world.”
Nancy Doyle-Hall, executive director at the Virgin Money Foundation, added: “Through the latest round of grants it has been a real privilege to get to know community organisations across Greater Glasgow that we haven’t previously worked with and to see the impact they are having on their local community.
“We look forward to working alongside them over the next few years as they work to increase the digital skills and confidence of the people they support.”
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