The Sunderland Digital Challenge Programme

• May 2008 sees the launch of two of the Connectivity projects Hexagon (pdf 208kb) and Flash-Meeting (pdf 108kb). Both of these offer alternative methods of virtual networking for the community sector. The projects will offer both open and secured virtual meeting spaces and will target those who are isolated at present.
   
• St Mark’s Community Centre will be the first Community to receive support to develop a Community Electronic Village Hall (EVH) under the Digital Challenge banner.
   
• Think about it - A video about "Using digital technology to tackle social exclusion" that was displayed at the Excellent Partnership Event @ Wynyard Hall in June 2008. The video was produced by DCLG - Digital Inclusion Team.
   
• UK Government establishes it's own "Digital Inclusion Team" to explain the benefits of ICT in tackling social exclusion.
   

Our proposal was driven by the needs of our communities and powered by real consultation. The innovation was as much about how the programme has been put together
and how it will be run as about the projects themselves.

The final Programme is based around individual’s needs with services being delivered where and how they are needed and wanted. This could be in the home, a local community point, face to face or remotely - using technology as the enabler.

The aim is to drive a transformation in the lives of the people of Sunderland, in particular those that are currently classed as disadvantaged or disengaged.