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The DAISI Project – Our Digital Inclusion Achievements So Far

GRCC’s "Digital Accessibility, Inclusion, Support, and Innovation" (DAISI) Project  started in the autumn of 2021, mainly offering one-to-one training and group workshops that were geared towards employment support. 

Since then, the DAISI Project’s scope has broadened to include consultancy, training and support for VCS organisations, and providing free refurbished digital devices and pre-paid SIM cards.   

What's more, we've just reached the amazing total of a million pounds’ worth of equipment, pre-paid SIM cards, and support that we've now given out to groups and individuals in Gloucestershire.

“The DAISI Project started as a very small seedling, but it’s now fully grown and is blossoming as a nationally recognised digital inclusion organisation,” said Dan Gale, GRCC’s Digital Inclusion Manager.

Daniel Gale helping a client who is using a laptop

Recent recognition for the DAISI Project includes becoming a Network Ambassador for the Good Things Foundation, being shortlisted for the UK Digital Inclusion Award run by ISPA (the Internet Service Providers Association), becoming a Digital Poverty Alliance key support provider for the South West, and our work  being featured on the BBC website. 

How can DAISI help you?

  1. Free Laptops, Smartphones, and Pre-Paid SIMS:  Thanks to our partnership with organisations like the ITSA Digital Trust we can provide high quality refurbished laptops and smartphones to local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations and to people on employment support schemes.   We can also provide six months of free calls, texts, and mobile data to anyone in data-poverty in Gloucestershire through our work with the Vodafone Foundation.  
  2. Accessibility Compliance:  DAISI helps VCS organisations to meet digital best practice standards and conform with accessibility legislation. We can provide comprehensive audits and guidance to make sure that your digital platforms are accessible to all, improving digital inclusion and boosting the effectiveness of your online presence and digital marketing.  We can also  help you to write more inclusive policies, publish easy-to-read documents, publish information in multiple formats, and design new digital services that are fully inclusive.
  3. The Digital Hubs Initiative:  DAISI are the lead partners in Cheltenham Borough and the Cotswold District for the Gloucestershire Digital Hubs Project.  At the Digital Hubs, people can get free, one-to-one help with any aspects of digital life that they need support with, such as online banking, applying for housing and benefits online, setting up and using an email address, using free online resources such as Google Documents, setting up digital devices, and keeping safe from online frauds.  This hands-on support aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, age, experience or disability, can get help to navigate the digital world with confidence.   To deliver the Digital Hubs we work alongside several key partners including Cheltenham Borough Homes, Cotswolds Friends, The Churn Project, and Bromford Housing, as well as many small VCS organisations who serve a very specific locality.  Find out where your nearest Digital Support Hub is by contacting digital@grcc.org.uk

GRCC's Izzie Robinson sending out free pre-paid SIM cards to Gloucestershire food banks and other community support organisations.

Why Should You Engage With DAISI?

  1. Down To Earth Help:  If you need help with digital issues or digital inclusion in Gloucestershire, just get in touch.  You don’t need to apply for funding or fill in forms – if you need support and we have what you need, we deliver that help to you fast.  We pride ourselves on being an incredibly agile and fast-moving project.
  2. Expertise and Support: DAISI's expertise in digital best practice and accessibility standards ensures that organisations are well-equipped to meet the evolving digital needs of their audiences.
  3. Community-Centric Solutions: DAISI's emphasis on community participation and co-production ensures that solutions are grounded in local needs and existing community assets, making them more effective and sustainable.
  4. Global and Local Impact: Through initiatives like the RUSTIK project, DAISI demonstrates its commitment not only to local but also to global digital inclusion.

Working with DAISI offers a great opportunity to be part of a digitally inclusive Gloucestershire.  Whether you're an individual wanting to improve your digital skills, or an organisation aiming to improve your digital services and accessibility, DAISI can provide the tools, knowledge, and support that you need to navigate the digital landscape effectively.

Contact GRCC’s DAISI project via digital@grcc.org.uk or call us on 01452 528491 to discuss how we can help you with your digital needs.

Posted by Peter R on February 8th 2024

Contact Info

Gloucestershire Rural Community Council
Community House
15 College Green
Gloucester GL1 2LZ

T: 01452 528491

GRCC is a registered charity (number 1054282) and a Limited Company (number 3181755).

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"You have provided me with much encouragement, guidance and invaluable advice in the past 18 months; your input and support has been invaluable, something I very much appreciate, thank you."

"Thank you so much for all the support and advice that GRCC has provided."

"Your resource was highlighted to us by the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, as an excellent example of sharing expertise/resources.  My huge thanks for this work, which has made it far easier for us to address policy needs here!"

"With my other Parish Councillor hat on - can I just say how incredible GRCC have been in supporting the parish in the last few months - we couldn't have got half as far as we have without you."

"GRCC has made learning iPad skills fun and easy. Just by sitting at my side and showing me the basics, Matthew has encouraged me and this in turn has made me want to learn more and more.  Thank you GRCC, you got me started."

"Thank you so much for your time yesterday, I found it really helpful and supportive. You have a fantastic depth of knowledge and experience, and it was great to have an ‘external view’ and insight.   I will put all the ideas into practice and will let you know how I get on."  (Glos Charity CEO)

"Thank you so much for your email yesterday...it really cheered me up. My Mum always said kindness costs nothing, and you and your colleagues have been so generous, and it was not expected... I understand you will be closing the case, but I would like to say, you have been a marvellous help to me." (Part of a thank you message from a Social Prescribing client).

"Could I please thank you both for making me so welcome at the Cheltenham and Cotswolds Know Your Patch meetings.  They are really well set up and organised, such a great forum to connect with people and services across the county to link in and work together. "  

"My social prescriber has been truly warm, understanding, helpful, non-judgemental and has even made me laugh despite my current situation. I have very much enjoyed our conversations. I'd strongly encourage anyone to try the service.”

I would like to thank Laura at GRCC for the provision of a number of Job Clubs in and around our communities.  I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact that Laura has had on our customers and the communities that we serve. It has been great to work in partnership with GRCC, and I look forward to working closely over the coming months and years.  (Feedback from Bromford Housing for our ESHO job clubs.)

I was looking for a job after taking a long career break. Laura played a crucial role in helping me navigate my return to work....  Laura's unwavering support during our weekly meetings kept me motivated to keep applying. Finally, I landed a job as a Business Administrator for a reputable organization. I am immensely grateful to Laura and the Job Club.   (Feedback for our ESHO job clubs from a client).

"Quite some years ago now ... I undertook skilled (Surface Water Catchment) Flood Warden training. That training was one of the most valuable educational experiences of my life.  ... This email is intended to express my appreciation, for the unique skills that GRCC Officers gave me."

Dear Cara (GRCC's Affordable Housing Manager) - I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you very much for attending last night's meeting at our Parish Council.  The Councillors and some audience members who stayed to the end of the meeting expressed how good it was – appreciating how thorough and clear the talk was and in particular how well you answered the many varied questions and knew the subject so well.  We hope you achieved what you had hoped for from the meeting too and look forward to working with you.

"Lauren Woods, who was with the The North Cotswolds Community Wellbeing Services, supported me to solve some problems - they boiled down to digital challenges.  Recently she has joined Tewkesbury Borough as their Digital & Technology Navigator.  I could write a screed on how useful she was...   I am glad she hasn't left the organisation...  You have an asset there."

"Good afternoon Cara [GRCC's Affordable Housing Manager]Many thanks for giving of your time last night to present the GRCC’s survey on housing need. Your presentation was well received and certainly contributed to a successful meeting on which we hope the PC can build in future."

"Just a short note to thank you for your time and encouragement yesterday, both of which were greatly appreciated..."  (Comment from a Community Land Trust)

"The laptop has given me the freedom to expand my channel on YouTube further!  And since having the laptop I have gone from 200 subscribers to 1,494 subscribers with some of my videos gaining 138k+ views!  ... Because I'm unemployed for mental and physical health reasons, little things and hobbies like my YouTube channel mean a lot to me and helps me fill in the time I have spare which is improving my mental health day by day.  The aim is to get back into employment once I have had the treatments I needed done, and the laptop will help me with this also!" (Message from a person who received a laptop through our DAISI Project).

I must say you have been one of the best speakers/external experts I have encountered in my 35 years as a public servant... On behalf of the Parish Council I thank you for your work with us.  (Comment to our Affordable Housing  / Housing Needs Surveys Team)

"We want to express our gratitude to Lauren at GRCC for her digital support. Thanks to her guidance and patience, our team members have significantly improved their IT skills, enabling us to better serve our community participants. Lauren's expertise has been instrumental in ensuring that we can more effectively run a variety of projects at our community hub, including our pantry membership, community sheds project, Thai cooking classes, room hirers, and creative sessions."

"I am a published author, who, since COVID, has had worsening financial difficulties, a family breakdown resulting in no support, two house moves and a short period of homelessness.  During this I have been working, writing, and caring for my child who has additional needs. When my old laptop stopped working, I worked and wrote in libraries, and borrowed multiple laptops from friends...  I am so glad I found GRCC. I now have an amazing laptop, and I can continue on with my novel during the hours that work for me (early mornings and late nights). This service has truly lifted an enormous weight from me and I am free to get on with creating work that I hope will pull me out of this black hole, and find financial stability once more. "

"Thank you so much for an excellent, informative and inspiring parish meeting."  (Feedback to our Rural Housing Enabler Sarah Walker after a meeting to help a parish understand its affordable housing needs.)

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