Digital Inclusion Team & Kent County Council

1. Digital Inclusion Team & Kent County Council Project definitions 22 DEC 2008

2. Text Groups Connecting communities via SMS technology Outline • Individuals approach a local representative to set up a group around an interest area [user testing suggested that the greatest benefit would be to people who already organise community groups] • The local representative assigns a code to the group which people can text to join or opt out • The council negotiates a deal or bulk buys texts to send free/low cost texts. Each group is given a number of texts • Each person can send messages to all other members by texting the group’s code followed by the message to the council number [Some users already had access to free texts and did not see this as a key selling point for the service] • Members contact details and personal information are kept private but, where appropriate, the messages are posted on a website • Professionals or volunteers moderate the group (depending on the content); where volunteers are suitable the moderation could be undertaken by group members • Local organisations/ service providers will be made aware of groups and promote them • The service could also be used to text information on related groups or services (people who joined this also joined…) • Examples of types of groups: breast feeding, supermarket deals, film clubs, young mothers, toddler groups Potential for wider roll-out • Straightforward to implement • Similar solutions are already in use so existing technology could be adopted and adapted relatively easily (e.g. Twitter) • The solution should be easy to transfer to other local authorities • The sustainability will depend upon its use, monitoring and marketing in each individual area • The service could be used by local service providers to send information via text, offering a cheaper more targeted service than leaflets/posters etc. so funds from marketing and communications could be sought For further investigation • A physical location (e.g. weekly drop-in session at a local venue) to provide advice and support in setting up text groups • Possible types of groups [Users came up with some a few groups, those already organising groups saw value in the service] • Potential ways to reduce the costs of text messages; bulk buying, mobile companies CSR, subsidised by advertising • Ways to reduce the cost of the initial text from a user to whole group via council system • Specific solutions already in place; e.g. Nesta or Twitter (being used in Stratford and Barnet) • Additional applications that could be used; e.g. Pinger, mobladder, Dodgeball • Research into ‘hooks’ that will encourage people to use the service • Design a specification of what the service recognises as a ‘community’ (e.g. number of users/ acceptable themes for group) • Security concerns, particularly when the group promotes face to face meetings • A survey of existing community groups that this service could add value to Benefits • Combats social isolation – building larger social networks and providing additional ‘out of hours’ support • Encourages community cohesion • Could provide some groups with more flexible access to expert advice (virtual support) • Some groups may ease demands on services such as social care/health (e.g. residents provide emotional support to one another) • Offers council and local organisations an efficient way to target information to local residents • [Users felt that sending/ receiving texts from a named source, rather than a number, would add credibility to the information within them] • Potential to reduce council communications costs Setup costs Ongoing costs • Application to store numbers and interests • Communication and launch • Project manager (part time) • Local venue (e.g. 1 day per week drop-in) • Local venue/ drop-in session • Regular events to raise awareness/ foster growth of social networksl • Text messages • Resources to monitor and maintain the service and to provide regular input (some of this role could be performed by volunteers) • Professionals to support specific groups Success Criteria • Face-to-face meetings/ events – actual community to sustain virtual community • Regular (e.g. weekly) input provided by identified moderator for each group to encourage participation • Consistency of mobile phone numbers • Ability to negotiate a low cost text solution • Adding value to existing groups • Ensuring anonymity of users where necessary

3. Local Display Screens Display screens to encourage pride and support adult learning projects Outline • Set up a series of community display screens in parts of Park Wood where there is high footfall (incl. indoor venues) • Use the screens to publicise positive aspects of the area, encourage local dialogue and increase community participation • The installation of screens would be accompanied by a programme of work to source, create and manage content • The creation of content could support local learning and skills building. Some could be sourced from current groups and projects. New learning schemes and courses could be created to develop content whilst helping people to build skills • Community content • Establish adult and community education programme to provide residents with training in digital media literacy, e.g. digital photography, film projects etc. to support the development of community content for screens • Source community-generated content to show, e.g. work from local schools, local history projects, local news produced by community groups, information on e-learning and education, photographs of youth group graffiti art • Work with local community groups/ representatives (e.g. youth club/ schools/ housing association) to source and create community content • Local communications • The screens could also promote local information but content should be more than ‘dry’ public service broadcasts to attract attention • Use the display screens to encourage local dialogue and increase community participation, offering wider access to information on local events and services • Other potential sources of content • There may be scope for local businesses to advertise • Kent TV could be broadcast to fill time between community generated content • It may be possible to show sporting occasions and major events e.g. the Olympics, concerts Potential for wider roll-out • If the concept proved to be successful it would be easy to set up screens elsewhere • Similar ideas already in place in schools and GPs surgeries • The screens could also be linked to websites where content could be uploaded for the general public • Strong synergy with Local Government Empowerment White Paper Digital Mentors programme (the role of mentors is to provide community training in digital media literacy) For further investigation • Ability to partner with local groups or initiatives such as Kent TV, Adult education services, Community Communication Network • Location and size of screen(s) and associated costs (possible shortage of appropriate locations) • The type of content people would like to see • Possibility to show mainstream content from other channels such as BBC or Sky • [The Park Wood Playground is being renovated and there may be potential for the screens to be incorporated into this] • Links with adult and community learning provision of digital media training • Local venue for content creation sessions run by community development worker (weekly sessions) Benefits • Projects to generate content could support community cohesion and local projects, competitions and events (e.g. tidy Park Wood) • New community channel to reach out to community to support service signposting, delivery and awareness campaigns • Efficiency gains in communications • Promote positive aspects of Park Wood to challenge low community pride • Could help to publicise useful information from the local authority and other organisations e.g. e-learning course providers • Potential to raise revenue from advertising • [From the user testing it was clear Park Wood lacked a social space for adults in the local area, a screen could help this] • Increasing residents’ digital media skills, confidence and employability • Support development of skills Setup costs Ongoing costs • Display screens (starting at c.£2,000 for external screens) • Costs for digital camera/ video camera/ editing software • Communication and launch • Project manager to source and manage content, possibly also directing the activities of local groups • Team to manage content, could be a council web team • Internet connection to displays • Maintenance of screens • Adult and Community education programme to provide training in generating content Success Criteria • Appeal of content, having locally relevant content would be important • Community engagement and digital media training to create content • Buy-in from community members (e.g. youth group involvement) to reduce likelihood of vandalism • [Users main concern was vandalism of the equipment so robust ways to prevent vandalism of the equipment are needed]

4. Online Time Bank Website to facilitate time banks and swap shops online Outline • A physically located, supported service in a local venue where people are able to register their skills/ services or goods for swapping • New time bankers are interviewed and supported to register their details and the services they would like to offer into an online portal • The physical service is supported by DigiTV, mobile phone and internet services; users can remotely browse or search for relevant skills and services – either independently or supported by a broker • Examples of common services provided in time banks include: cooking, gardening, photography, DIT, cleaning, baking, help with the kids, shopping, talking on the phone, crafts, going to the park • Events can be organised using time credits (e.g. for organisation, publicity activities, catering etc.); this could reduce the cost of community events • [At the user testing event, many of the adults spoke of the lack of opportunities for them to socialise in Park Wood] Potential for wider roll-out • There are already 109 time banks in the UK with over 7,000 participants • Time Banking UK offers toolkits, training and events • The website is already national and a partner like DigiTV would enable national roll-out of mobile and DigiTV timebanking For further investigation • How DigiTV and mobile can increase the accessibility of the service • Partnership with time banks already active in the area (e.g. Hereson Family and Community Timebank in Ramsgate) • Links with adult education and employability-support schemes to help provide pathways into work • Links with local businesses – e.g. providing training opportunities/ volunteering • Possible rewards as well as skills/goods swaps (there are restrictions on this: DWP ‘Time Exchange’ guidance states that “in a ‘Time Exchange’ scheme, Time Credits cannot be exchanged for goods or services or converted into alternative currency.”) • Security – Time Banking UK subscription includes CRB checks for those working with children/ vulnerable people • [Users were interested in possible rewards as well as skills/goods swaps; may not be possible within the scope of timebanking] • Research work West Kent Extra are already undertaking on time banking in the area • Who would need CRB checks Benefits • Builds friendship and trust - leading to increased social networks and greater community cohesion (Timebanking has had proven success in deprived areas e.g. Lewisham, South London and Gorbals, Glasgow) • Invests in building people’s capacity to help themselves. • Has a non-prescriptive focus on what people can do; therefore encourages use and development of existing skills • Rewards different skills and services on an equal footing (e.g. all time is valued equally) – increasing self-esteem • Childcare services can free people up to work • Increase in self confidence and awareness of skills can put people on the pathway to paid work • [Users could see potential benefits of the scheme and were keen on being able to access a range of services, many of their suggestions for swaps involved learning (e.g. to cook, drive) as well as gardening, baby sitting etc.] • Eases demands on some services e.g. child care Setup costs Ongoing costs • A project manager • Develop DigiTV, mobile and web interfaces • Subscription to Time Banking UK (annual fee of £100 provides the following: best practice toolkits; access to the members-only area of the website; use of new software Time Online for recording exchanges and reporting; Free CRB checks for participants; Access to the National Exchange whereby you can exchange hours with any UK time bank). • Locally accessible venue with computer and internet access – self-service as well as access to timebank supported by broker • Full/ part-time broker to interview new recruits, answer queries, facilitate matches etc • Periodic marketing and sessions to sign people up and encourage use Success Criteria • Securing valued and relevant services / offers • Take up of facility by locals to achieve critical mass of decent services • [Users need to be confident that their offering will be rewarded with an equal return] • Local venue with onsite time broker to provide support and add visibility to the project

5. Car sharing Offering easier, more tailored access to transport Outline • The council purchases a small fleet of cars or vans • Users could access a timetable via a mobile-phone compatible website to see when the car is available and book out a slot by text or phone • The car would be charged at cost per mile • A small charge per hour would be used to ensure people only kept the vehicle for the allotted time • The vehicles would be driven by volunteers or designated drivers • Service provision could be a mix of timetabled services to and from Maidstone and bespoke journeys booked in advance • A timetabled service could be coordinated with crèche facilities Potential for wider roll-out • Similar schemes are already run by private companies and other authorities or social enterprises so the technology exists to support the service • The sustainability of the service would depend on the cost to users • If the service was cost effective it would be popular as it offers greater flexibility, convenience and freedom than buses For further investigation • The potential to use schemes already established in the local area e.g. Lift share be extended to Park Wood • Other models such as Wokingham’s social enterprise taxi service • The potential for Arriva, who run public transport facilities, to offer suitable solutions or improve their current offering with more space for push chairs, real time information on arrivals via text • What the demand for this service would be • The number of driving licences held by the target population • The viability of a self-drive model as opposed to volunteer drivers • Health and safety regulations for volunteers • [Users were concerned that the vehicles would be vandalised. The likelihood of this and ways to prevent it should be explored] Benefits • Offers people greater freedom and the ability to travel at times that are convenient for them • Cars are aspirational items and having access to a car could increase self-esteem • Transport sharing could lead to environmental benefits Setup costs Ongoing costs • Initial cost of purchasing vehicles or paying for the extension of an existing service • Software to facilitate bookings • Insurance • Maintenance • Staff to run the booking system and drive the cars Success Criteria • Good management of the fleet to ensure the cars are used and returned on time and in good condition • The service being more convenient than the bus and competitively priced • Giving the community a sense of ownership of the service and ensuring people look after the vehicles • [The service needs to match or undercut transport services already available to be a viable option for users]

6. Group shopping/ bulk buying Facilitating group online purchases Outline • Supported access to online shopping and trading (e.g. eBay),is provided at a local venue, with the potential to make savings on bulk purchases • Computers with internet access enable both self-service and supported access to online shopping • Users browse supermarket website online and give staff cash for purchases [For users it was important that this person was a trusted professional] • Staff use a council-funded credit card to place orders • Individuals’ shopping can be delivered direct to their home from the supermarket, using existing delivery mechanisms • [Users were keen for goods to be delivered to their door if possible but still felt that delivery somewhere on the estate would be more convenient than going to the shops] • Group/ bulk shopping purchases can be delivered to the ordering centre - users are given a time to return when they place their orders • Regular financial education sessions are offered at the ordering centre (these could be provided by a voluntary organisation, e.g. CAB) Potential for wider roll-out • A simple system should be established initially offering greater access to supermarkets and cheap online deals • There is potential to extend the model to bulk buy goods to be resold in the community • Straightforward to roll out – just needs an organisation/ community development worker to run the facility For further investigation • A suitable location for the service • The potential to make a deal with a supermarket [There are also local wholesale depots in the area that could be approached] to further reduce the price of goods for regular orders • Accounting/tax implications • Potential to extend service to goods other than supermarket shops (e.g. freecycle/ eBay) Benefits • Provides users with access to cheaper or free online goods • Saves time and money – avoiding difficulty of taking children to supermarket on public transport • Increases buying power • Opportunities for social interaction • Opportunity to improve computer skills • Access to financial education Setup costs Ongoing costs • Project manager • PCs and internet access if not already available • Venue • Marketing • Member of staff to place orders and handle petty cash Success Criteria • A sponsor organisation who could supply the credit card, location and staff • Communicating the service to residents • Proving the service adds value and is a convenient, effective option for users • [Prices need to undercut the (very cheap prices) already being paid] • [Users need to be willing to compromise on brands of items to allow bulk buys]