Digital Skills Map launched to help Greater Manchester residents find support with getting online

A new Digital Skills Map has been launched to help Greater Manchester residents identify where they can go to get support in accessing digital devices, connectivity to get online and digital skills training.

The resource has been produced by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) alongside local organisations and community groups across the city-region as part of Get Online Week (16th to 22nd October).

Recent data has found over 800,000 residents of Greater Manchester face some form of digital exclusion; 16% of households in Greater Manchester have someone who is not confident in using digital services online and 44% of over 75s and 28% of disabled people know someone who’s not confident using digital services online.

The Get Online Greater Manchester: Digital Skills Map is an interactive map highlighting the ever-growing list of organisations and community groups providing digital inclusion support across the city-region, for free or at a low cost.

The map can support professionals, family and friends, in signposting someone they know who may be struggling to get online, or would benefit from improved digital skills. Support identified on the map includes Greater Manchester Databanks, centres offering access to computers and the internet and various digital skills sessions. 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:

“Everyone, regardless of age, background or situation should be able to participate equally in life, education, and access health services. In today’s digital age the reality is that, to do so, people need to be online and have the appropriate support to get online.  

“Get Online Greater Manchester: Digital Skills Map has been created to help people across the city-region find a local place they can go to learn essential digital skills, get support to get online, or to get connected like through the Greater Manchester Databank. If Greater Manchester is truly going to be a world leading digital city-region, we have to make a big commitment to fix the digital divide.” 

The Get Online Greater Manchester: Digital Skills Map is available via the GMCA website.