Liz St Louis, director of smart cities and enabling services at Sunderland City Council, shares details of the real impact of its Digital Inclusion Programme, supported by Boldyn Networks.
Digital inclusion is a significant challenge for every city across the globe. In an increasingly interconnected society, the digital divide is not just a technological issue but a social one – one that directly impacts people’s quality of life, economic mobility and social inclusion.
Over the past year, Sunderland solidified its status as a leading smart city by delivering a series of transformative projects with far-reaching social impact.
A 2023 study by Lloyds Consumer Digital Index revealed that 33 per cent of Sunderland residents lacked basic digital literacy, highlighting significant barriers faced by residents to access opportunities for growth in the digital world.
Motivated by the need for change and a commitment to ensuring no one and nowhere would be left behind in the digital revolution, Sunderland City Council created a unique partnership with global force, Boldyn Networks, to accelerate Sunderland’s smart city journey.
From advancing digital inclusion through free public wifi in community spaces to enhancing accessibility with smart transport and play infrastructure, these initiatives have created opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors to the city.
Equipping local people with the skills, confidence and equipment they need, our Digital Inclusion Programme – supported by Boldyn Networks – is at the heart of our commitment to ensuring every resident, regardless of age, income or background, can thrive in this new world.
The power of social value
Creating a smart city is not just about installing infrastructure or boosting technological capabilities, it’s about people. Social value is at the core of everything we do, and our Digital Inclusion Programme is a perfect example of how technology can enhance lives. In the first 10 months since opening, we’ve had 515,000 visits to our Digital Health Hubs (DHHs). This represents tens of thousands of people gaining access to digital tools and skills that in turn are opening doors to opportunities that were previously out of reach.
A growing number of DHHs are strategically placed in some of the most deprived areas of the city, ensuring that everyone, particularly those who have been most disconnected, can access digital services. These hubs provide not only internet access but training and support to help residents gain the skills they need to participate in the digital economy. This is life-changing for many, from accessing essential services online to improving employability and reducing isolation.
For younger residents, our eSports Community Hubs are sparking new interest in technology. These hubs, believed to be the first of their kind in the UK, provide an engaging and competitive environment where young people can develop digital skills through gaming.
This innovative approach to digital inclusion is helping to build confidence and interest in tech careers, particularly for those who might otherwise be disengaged from traditional education pathways.
Supporting workforce transformation
Digital inclusion isn’t just about individuals, it’s about empowering our workforce. At Sunderland City Council, we’ve made significant strides toward building a digital ready workforce, ensuring that all employees, including those who were previously offline, have access to the devices and training they need. With 284 Tech Mates volunteers and over 900 offline employees now digitally enabled, we’ve created an environment where technology enhances productivity and service delivery, leading to more efficient public services and better outcomes for residents.
Sunderland Software City’s Tech Talent Engine is also helping foster the next generation of tech professionals, ensuring that Sunderland is building a future-proof workforce equipped for the demands of a digital world.
Improving lives and strengthening communities
The impact of these initiatives is tangible with 60,000 unique visitors a month using Sunderland Free Wi-Fi. We have established over 10,000m² of free community wifi, enabling greater access to online resources and services for residents.
Our Social Tariff Campaign has reached 32,500 residents, providing access to more affordable digital services, saving residents thousands of pounds and tackling affordability barriers head-on.
Through 15 Device Donation Hubs, we’ve redistributed 1,074 unused digital devices into the community, ensuring that even those who might not be able to afford a device have access to the tools they need. This initiative has also played a key role in reducing e-waste, saving over 58,000kg of CO2 emissions.
By prioritising inclusivity, sustainability and innovation, Sunderland’s smart city achievements have fostered stronger communities, improved quality of life and inspired other cities to follow our lead.
- Addressing social challenges: Sunderland’s Digital Inclusion Programme directly addresses the social challenge of digital exclusion in the city, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. The programme is designed to reduce poverty and improve economic, health and education outcomes through digital inclusion.
- Better outcomes: the programme aims to create fairer outcomes by tackling inequalities in the community through access to digital resources, skills and support. The pioneering digital inclusion initiatives have led to measurable social impact including impressive skills development with over 1,526 individuals upskilled, and over half of them reporting improved digital skills and confidence.
- Use of digital technology: by leveraging digital technology to deliver solutions – including providing free community wifi devices, online training and a digital platform – we have created a model for effective digital intervention.
Award-winning progress
In March 2025, Sunderland’s Smart City Programme Team was honoured to receive the People’s Choice Award at the Digital Leaders Impact Awards. These awards celebrate digital innovations that make a positive impact on people’s lives and the world around us. The public was invited to celebrate digital leaders and their work by voting for their favourite project from a shortlist of nominees spanning 36 leading smart city projects across the UK.
This accolade identified Sunderland’s commitment to leveraging digital technology for social good, enhancing the lives of residents and setting a benchmark for other cities. The public recognised the vast array of projects and activities taking place across Sunderland to boost digital access, skills and confidence; solidifying its status as a leading smart city by delivering transformative projects with significant social impact.
Enhancing experiences with the new Sunderland App
One of the most exciting recent developments in Sunderland’s smart city journey is the launch of the Sunderland App. This free app is a vital tool in transforming how residents and visitors experience our city, offering a way to connect with local services, navigate the city and access information about events and attractions.
The Sunderland App is designed with the user in mind, ensuring it is intuitive and accessible for all, regardless of digital literacy levels. For residents, the app opens up a world of convenience, from finding the best local restaurants and cafes to booking council services with just a few taps. The app’s real-time public transport updates ensure that getting around the city has never been easier, whether you’re heading to work or exploring Sunderland’s beautiful coastline.
For visitors, the app offers tailored experiences, guiding them to key attractions and hidden gems across the city. By integrating with our existing smart city infrastructure, including free public wifi across the city centre and the coast, the app allows users to enjoy a truly connected experience. Features like smart parking alerts and event notifications ensure that whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer, Sunderland is easy to navigate and explore.
Beyond convenience, the Sunderland App contributes to our broader goal of digital inclusion by making services accessible to all. It’s more than just a city guide, it’s a gateway to engage with Sunderland’s vibrant cultural scene and local businesses, supporting our vision of a connected, inclusive city. This tool plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors, ensuring everyone can benefit from our digital advancements.
The Sunderland App exemplifies how smart city technology can directly impact day-to-day life, making the city more accessible and enjoyable for all.
Engaging the business community
Our digital inclusion efforts cannot succeed in isolation. Businesses play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this programme. Whether through volunteering time as part of our Tech Mates initiative, donating unused devices to be redistributed in the community or contributing financially to expand our reach, businesses can make a significant impact.
In Sunderland, we are not just building a smarter city, we are building a more inclusive and connected community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By working together – residents, businesses and the local authority – we can ensure that our city continues to grow, innovate and prosper in the digital age.
Together, we are creating a smarter, more inclusive future for Sunderland and a blueprint for progression for cities the world over.
Enabling opportunities for all
Sunderland’s digital inclusion efforts have not only enhanced connectivity but have fundamentally transformed the social fabric of the city. Sunderland City Council’s unwavering commitment to digital inclusion exemplifies the transformative power of technology in tackling social inequalities. We hope to inspire other regions to follow suit, ensuring digital inclusion leads to real-world equity and opportunity for all.
The integration of infrastructure, skills, community support and strategic investment has delivered measurable impact, improving health, education and economic outcomes for thousands of residents to date.
As a city pioneering inclusive digital transformation, Sunderland stands as a national leader in ensuring no one and nowhere is left behind in an increasingly digital world.
Follow Sunderland’s smart city progress at www.sunderlandoursmartcity.com.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Liz St Louis
Quelle/Source: Smart Cities World, 30.04.2025
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