David Thomas - Digital Inclusion Officer (Hope Foundation)

Why did you decide to become a Community Champion? 

I decided to become a community champion to share my knowledge and experience supporting people with technology and online services.

We are now living in the digital age and many people have not had the support, training, or have the financial ability to cope. Working together we can help to reduce duplication and increase awareness of support services to the people who need it most.

How does your role help people in South Tees? 

Through my role at the Hope Foundation I support people to access online services and use technology, building their confidence and giving them the skills to become digitally independent.

We have a Device Library to loan devices, internet connections, and sensory loss equipment to our learners and people in the local community.

We are also part of Furbdit, an organisation that collects donated IT equipment from business and individuals, refurbishes them to be given back out to people classed as being in digital poverty. I’m also working in partnership with the Holgate PCN Doctors practices to identify the barriers to digital inclusion and support any patients who request support, e.g. to access GP online services.