Event raises £100,000 to bridge the digital divide

Leeds Community Foundation and 100% Digital Leeds are celebrating a £100,000  investment, raised from the proceeds of the Leeds Digital Ball 2023.

Ten community organisations across Leeds have received grants of up to £10,000 to help tackle inequalities around access to digital technologies.

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund was established in 2022 in partnership with Leeds Community Foundation, 100% Digital Leeds and Leeds Digital Ball to bring together the private, public and third sector with an ambition to support communities and individuals to have the skills, support and equipment they need to be active online now and in future.

Last year, five community organisations were supported and three of those – Burmantofts Community Friends, The Highrise Project and Your Back Yard, have gone on to secure further funding this year, so they can continue their work.

The additional seven organisations will be delivering a range of activity and interventions to get people online.

Tom Armstrong, project manager at Burmantofts Community Friends, said: “The funding from the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund in 2022 meant we could employ a digital engagement worker to support older people across Burmantofts to get online.

“Ongoing funding is fundamental to our survival, so we are delighted to receive further funding that will help us to continue to deliver our weekly ‘Breakfast and Browsers Digital Help Group’ and weekly ‘Digital Drop-in Sessions’.

“There is nothing more satisfying than hearing people we work with  say that they now feel happier, more engaged and connected to society through these sessions.”

Cleveland Henry, chair of Leeds Community Foundation, said: “It is a challenging time for communities which was demonstrated by the volume of applications we received.

“We are truly grateful to the fundraising efforts of Leeds Digital Ball which meant we could double the number of community organisations we have funded this year.

“It is also testament to the partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and 100% Digital Leeds that we received a number of strong applications, demonstrating well-planned ideas for developing and delivering sustainable digital inclusion interventions.”

Jason Tutin, head of 100% Digital Leeds, said: “We’re pleased to be able to enhance the grant funding offered through Leeds Community Foundation.

“We look forward to sharing our expertise, guidance, and resources with the funded community organisations.

“We’ll also be offering signposting and support to the unsuccessful applicants to aid them in their ongoing work.”

Mike Quate, chair of Leeds Digital Ball, added: “We are proud to partner once again with Leeds Community Foundation and 100% Digital Leeds, to ensure the money raised makes the biggest possible impact and reaches those people in Leeds that need help around access to digital technologies.”