In early 2024, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) took a bold step to build a more digitally inclusive region. With funding from West of England Combined Authority and leadership from Mayor Dan Norris, a discovery project launched to better understand digital exclusion: where it was most prevalent, who it was affecting, and what practical steps could help.
A Strong Partnership for Digital Inclusion
Led by Good Things Foundation and delivered in collaboration with Cosmic, Connected by Change, and the University of Liverpool, the project focused on a data-rich, community-led exploration of digital access across the region.
It was rooted in real-world experience and local insight.
Key Findings
- Digital Exclusion Statistics: Approximately 14% of adults in the West of England are non-users or very limited users of the internet, equating to over 100,000 residents. When including limited users who don’t use social media, the number rises to around 204,000 adults.
- Minimum Digital Living Standard: An estimated 39–41% of households with children in the region fall below the Minimum Digital Living Standard, lacking essential devices, connectivity, or digital skills needed to engage effectively online.
- Challenges Identified:
- Affordability: Poverty is a significant barrier, with individuals often choosing between basic needs and digital access.
- Awareness and Access: Residents reported difficulties in finding and accessing digital inclusion support, especially in rural areas.
- Design and Accessibility: Poorly designed online services pose additional barriers for individuals with accessibility, language, or literacy needs.
- Opportunities for Improvement:
- Establish a Digital Inclusion Network: Creating a regional network or taskforce to foster collaboration among stakeholders.
- Leverage Regional Strengths: Utilising the region’s creative and tech sectors to improve the design and accessibility of digital services.
- Invest in VCFSE Sector: Supporting voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations to enhance their capacity to deliver digital inclusion initiatives.
Cosmic’s Practical and People-First Contribution
As a South West-based social enterprise with almost 30 years of experience in digital inclusion, training, and community-led transformation, Cosmic brought a vital and grounded perspective to this regional initiative.
Providing Data-Led Insights for Small Businesses
Cosmic contributed essential findings from digital skills audits for businesses from across the region, which included a charity, education facility and housing association. This data captured the real challenges many SMEs face when adopting digital tools. As a result, it highlighted where targeted support could drive the greatest impact and shaped future recommendations.
Leading Community Engagement Workshops
Cosmic also led three in-person community digital engagement workshops in Bath, Yate, and Bristol. Delivered by a trusted digital trainers from Cosmic, these sessions created a safe space for residents to share barriers to digital participation. Issues ranged from age and disability to income and rural isolation.
Listening deeply and understanding clearly meant those at risk of digital exclusion directly influenced the project’s direction.
Mapping the Local Digital Support Ecosystem
Through strong partnerships across the public, private, and third sectors, Cosmic supported Good Things Foundation and Connected by Change in mapping existing digital support services in the West of England. This work highlighted current provision, identified clusters of support, and revealed gaps in access. By connecting grassroots initiatives with strategic stakeholders, Cosmic laid essential foundations for a more cohesive and inclusive digital support network.
Connecting Stakeholders to Shape the Final Report
Julie Hawker, CEO and Emma Moore, Head of BD and Marketing, were actively involved in an in-person event in Bristol, hosted by Good Things Foundation and colleagues from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). The event brought together businesses, charities, and organisations from across the region to share findings from the research and spark discussion. Cosmic played a key role in facilitating the workshop sessions, encouraging participants to explore potential solutions to the challenges identified. The insights and ideas gathered were woven into the final report, ensuring that local voices and lived experiences shaped its conclusions and recommendations.
Shaping the Future of Digital Inclusion
The insights gathered during this discovery phase will directly inform WECA’s long-term digital inclusion strategy. This strategy will reflect the real needs of local people, communities, and businesses.
At Cosmic, digital inclusion is about more than skills—it’s about building confidence, connection, and community.
When real experience meets clear evidence, meaningful change becomes inevitable.
Want to understand the full picture?
Explore the Understanding Digital Inclusion in the West of England report to discover the key challenges, insights, and opportunities shaping a more digitally inclusive future.
Learn More About Our Work
Curious about how Cosmic supports regional digital transformation, inclusive digital skills training, and tech-for-good projects?
Get in touch with the Cosmic team or explore our latest community initiatives.
We would like to extend our thanks to our partners on this project — Good Things Foundation, Connected by Change, and the University of Liverpool. It was a pleasure to collaborate with you all on such an important and insightful piece of research.