Digital Inclusion Resources: Practical Pathways to Action and Impact

A new suite of NIHR-funded resources, Digital Inclusion Resources: Practical Pathways to Action and Impact, has been published following a collaborative study led by Public Health Wales, working with the University of Oxford, Cwmpas, Newydd Housing Association, Displaced People in Action and Simon Community Scotland. Bringing together research evidence and insights from practitioners and communities, the resources offer practical guidance on understanding digital exclusion, tailoring support to individual needs and assessing impact. The suite includes a practical guide, a mobile-friendly infographic and four practitioner personas illustrating how exclusion affects different communities.

This work is particularly relevant to Digital Lifelines Scotland, reinforcing the importance of person-centred support that incorporates providing devices and connectivity to address the wider barriers affecting people’s health, wellbeing and ability to access essential harm reduction resources such as By My Side. It reflects experiences across DLS delivery, where trusted relationships, flexible support and an understanding of each person’s digital needs have proved essential, and can help inform the ongoing development and evaluation of the programme.