Digital support
Digital inclusion
Digital inclusion means making sure everyone can understand and use the internet and digital devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers to do the things they want to do in life. It also means helping people:
- Get access to the internet
- Learn how to use digital tools
- Feel confident and safe online
People being digitally included is important because many everyday things—like booking a doctor’s appointment, applying for jobs, or talking to friends—are now mostly done online.
Having good digital skills (also known as digital literacy) helps people:
- Stay connected with family and friends
- Access health and government services
- Learn new skills and find jobs
- Feel more confident in a digital world
Digital skills support in Newcastle
If you live in Newcastle and would like to learn how to use and make the most of the internet, improve your digital skills, using a computer, smartphone or other device there are local services that can support you:
You can also find a A to Z list of digital support by organisation name here
Get online Newcastle offer telephone support and computer courses ranging from the basics to City and Guilds qualifications. Courses include: Online Basics, Intro to Microsoft Office, Techy tea party where you can help with your device set up. These are run face to face at Cruddas Park Library and City Library.
Elders Council of Newcastle work in partnership with Northumbria Students Union on Project ICE which includes drop in IT classes. You can bring along your own equipment such as laptops, iPads or digital cameras to learn more about how to use your device or practice on one of their computers. They can help you to develop your skills and confidence in using computers and the internet. Weekly sessions run during term time, September to April.
Search run Tea and tech sessions and and other digital support for people aged 50 and over. Everyone is welcome, including complete beginners. The sessions are tailored to meet your interests. You just need to tell the tutor what you want to learn.
Friends Action North East run workshops on getting online tailored to the needs of people with autism or a learning disability
Action Foundation offer digital inclusion workshops to refugees and migrants
Newcastle Vision Support provide practical support for people with sight loss including: IT training on iPads, tablets, laptops, computers and accessibility options. They also offer support on specialist software, such as Supernova.
Workers Educational Association (WEA) offer a wide range of courses on topics as varied as writing and art to beginners and more advanced computer classes. They also offer the ESOL for employability courses. There is a fee for most courses. Courses may be online or face to face at a location in the North East.
Online Centres Network has a map that helps people find computers or classes including in Newcastle. Search for the nearest centre to you on their website and contact the provider.
Lifelong learning article on InformationNOW has more information on courses available in Newcastle.
First Step North East helps migrant women living in Newcastle’s West End to take part in opportunities to learn and increase their confidence. They offer computer skills sessions. Creche available.
The Wise Group can help unemployed people aged 16 to 66 years old living in Newcastle and North Tyneside with digital and I.T. skills. This is part of their wellbeing and digital skills mentoring
West End Refugee Service (WERS) run weekly refugee and asylum seeker digital inclusion sessions.
Digital courses
We are Digital provide computer and internet training in the home.
Ability Net is a national network of volunteers who provide free computer support to disabled people. They can visit you in your own home, or in another location such as a care home or a day centre. The volunteers can solve hardware and software problems, such as installing new equipment, as well as helping you to gain confidence in using a computer. This could be by getting connected to the Internet and using email, or getting you started with standard packages such as word processing.
The Millin Charity run occasional digital skills courses for women
CICT Open Learning centre run a series of classes and courses available at all levels and abilities.
Online courses
Learn My Way offer useful short online courses which you can work through online. You can learn the basics of computers and the internet and then you can start learn a little bit more. Whether you want to chat to family and friends on Facebook, share digital photographs, learn how to shop online, find out how to use online banking, or look for a job they have a short course to help you do it.
GCF LearnFree.org offers125 free online tutorials. This includes e mail, internet, Microsoft office, maths, reading, career planning and digital skills
Digital Unite has a huge range of free learning guides to help people with using computers, the internet, tablets and other mobile devices. The easy-to-follow guides cover the essential topics from getting started with a mouse and keyboard to web browsing, emailing, shopping online and internet safety.
Google Garage offer free digital skills support online and face to face. They offer digital courses, online webinars and face to face workshops.. Google also offer 1-to-1 mentoring for businesses and charities in the UK, register for a free session here.
Citizens Online run online events, provide a free digital support helpline and a trained team of digital champions who will call you back and offer friendly, patient support over the phone.
Media Savvy CIC run digital skills courses including, introduction to computers, Social Media, eSafety, Employability and Money Matters.
Help to access services
The NHS App is the main digital way to access health services in the UK. They have a range of helpful pages and resources on how to make the most of using the app for your health care.
Newcastle GP Services run occasional sessions on how to use the NHS app for appointments, prescriptions and more
West End Refugee Service (WERS) digital inclusion sessions include help with:
- registering with a GP
- using the NHS app
- renewing your HC2
- creating an E-visa account on GOV.UK
- digital banking and bank accounts
- raising issues with migrant help online
- creating a council housing account and bidding for properties online
- shopping safely online
Data banks and devices
A partnership between Newcastle City Council and Purple to expand free Wi-Fi across council buildings, libraries, gyms, public spaces is starting from October 2025. As free Wi-Fi venues are announce we will add the mhere.
The National Databank by Good Things Foundation, is like a foodbank but provides free mobile data, texts and calls for people in need.
Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three regularly donate mobile data SIM cards to Good things foundation and local digital inclusion hubs across the UK. Organisations registered gift the free mobile data to people experiencing data poverty or living on a low income in their community.
The National Device Bank by Good Things Foundation provides refurbished laptops, mobile phones and tablets to individuals who may not have access to a device.
The device bank provides device to local digital inclusion hubs across the UK. Organisations registered gift the free devices to people experiencing data poverty or living on a low income in their community.
Private or public sector organisations can donate their used devices to the national device bank, so digitally excluded people can be supported. You can find out more on Good Things Foundations website here
Newcastle Libraries Chromebook loan scheme lets you borrow a Chromebook from Newcastle Libraries for free for up to 12 weeks. It can help if you are new to using a laptop, email and chat, you want to complete forms or apply for jobs
To borrow a Chromebook, you must:
- be 18 or older
- be a library member
- live in Newcastle
You can apply by completing the online form here, call 0191 278 7878 (ask for Libraries or speak to staff at your local library
Housing Plus at Newcastle City Council offer free wi-fi and data in their communal spaces at Housing Plus properties. Internet access is provided by portable Jangala Get Boxes from Virgin Media 02.
FurbdIT is a partnership working to reduce digital poverty. They collect unwanted devices and IT equipment, refurbish it and breathe new life into it for community benefit.
Get Kraken CIC can provide data for people who are struggling to afford internet access to get free mobile data connectivity. You can help refer eligible people using their form on their website here
Supporting people who are offline
Some people do not use the internet or digital devices. They may not have a computer, smartphone, or Wi-Fi. Others may not feel confident using technology. People who are offline should still be informed and supported to access information, manage their affairs, and connect with other people.
- Understand their barriers. People may not use the internet for many reasons. Cost, lack of confidence in digital skills, access to working devices, fear of online safety and scams, lack of interest, disability or impairments.
- Offer help with simple digital tasks. There may only be some digital tasks that people want to do or must do. Offer to help with tasks such as setting up a tablet, showing how to send an email or search for information. Use easy understandable words instead of technical language, write the steps of the task down or be patient and show them the steps to complete the task several times until they are more confident.
- Find local digital support. Many organisations and services offer free digital support. Help them find a local class or drop-in session. Offer to go with them or suggest they go with a friend.
- Connect Them to Local community support. Find out about local face to face support such as libraries, community centres, charities and social groups.
- Respect Choices Some people do not want to go online even if they have the chance to improve their skills or are given access to a device and internet. Support them in ways that work for them, like helping with phone calls or paper forms.
- Make online information offline. Save, print, write down or read aloud online information to someone who is offline.
InformationNOW articles are designed to be printable as a fact sheet or written article. You can print pages and share with people offline.
InformationNOW has key information available as offline printed leaflets. They can be found in our About Us Section – Free Resources
They include:
- ‘Right Information at the right time’ leaflet – Information on key community services and adult social care
- ‘New to Newcastle’ leaflets – Useful information in multiple languages for Refugee, asylum and new migrants
- ‘Looking after someone’ leaflet – Useful information for informal carers
Support for organisations
The National Digital Inclusion Network ran by Good Things Foundation is a network of charities, community interest companies, social enterprises, local authorities and NHS Trusts that support digital inclusion through their work and offer digital support services.Digital inclusion network organisations serve as local safe spaces where digitally excluded people can get free support to get connected.
Organisations that register get:
- Digital inclusion grant opportunities from their Fix The Digital Divide Fund
- Peer-to-peer networking with support from a Network Ambassador
- Regular online training sessions, co-delivered by experienced members
- Access to free digital inclusion services
Connected Voice run a local digital inclusion network. The group helps people in Newcastle and Gateshead learn about digital tools and services. They run free online sessions called “Lunch and Learn” every month.
Digital accessibility
Digital accessibility means making sure that digital content and tools can be used by people of all abilities, including those who may use assistive technologies like screen readers or voice control. This includes websites, applications, documents, videos, media and other digital materials.
Read more on informationNOW about Accessible information
How to make InformationNOW more accessible
InformationNOW uses Accessibility software called Recite Me. You can use this software to change language, change text size, change text and background colour, read text aloud, use reading aids such a screen ruler, download MP3 audio of a page and more. You can open the accessibility software by clicking the white button with three icons(a flag, speech bubble and an eye) in the right hand corner of any page on the site.
You can read more about how to tailor InformationNOW to your access needs here
Other Useful Organisations and Information
- Getting online and digital equipment article on InformationNOW. Find out how you can access free or low cost equipment and internet
- Finding reliable tradespeople article on InformationNOW if you need help with installing phonelines or broadband
- Making the most of the internet – Age UK’s guide
- Digital Pathfinders helps SMEs, charities and social enterprises across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland become more successful and resilient by adopting digital technology.
InfoNOW resources
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Last updated: September 10, 2025
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