Digital Poverty is a priority for us at Flintshire County Council, as an organisation we are committed to ensuring our residents are not excluded from a digital world. 

One of the ways we plan to do this is through our Digital Support Squad. These volunteers will provide face to face support to help people use digital technology – free of charge.

The first of these drop ins will be introduced at our Holywell Connects Centre and we’d love for you to share this with your Flintshire networks and help us spread the word about this fantastic service!

How it works

Customers will bring their own device and they will be supported by a team of Digital Support Squad. 

Our Squad have been trained by Digital Communities Wales on a range of digital subjects including: money, health, social, employment, communication.  

The Digital Support Squad will:

• Help and encourage people to get online with their support. 
• Support people to use modern channels of communication including the internet.
• Encourage people to use the Council’s online services to report, request or pay for services.
• Promote My Account as a means of connecting with the Council. 
• Plus any other generic digital needs people may have.

There are changes happening to the way the telephone system works across the UK and it is important for our residents to understand how this will affect them.

In partnership with BT, we're sharing important information about ‘Digital Voice’ to ensure residents know what changes are coming and the support that is available.

This update from BT outlines how the telephone infrastructure will change, BT's plans, and how residents can prepare for the transition to Digital Voice.

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"Landlines in the UK are going digital.

By 2025, the existing analogue technology (the PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network) which has supported phone and broadband services for decades will be switched off and replaced with newer digital technology.

This industry wide, once in a generation upgrade will see the vast majority of customers provided with a broadband line, making calls the same as they do today, but using ‘Voice over IP’ technology that uses an internet connection.

Most people have been using this type of technology for years through video or voice messaging apps used on connected mobile phones.

Voice is BT’s new home phone service, delivered over a broadband connection. For most customers, the switch to Digital Voice will be as simple as connecting your home phone handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall.

BT’s regional approach is being supported by local general awareness communications, local events and advertising campaigns to raise awareness and help customers understand the simple steps required to make the move to Digital Voice.

Customers will be contacted at least four weeks in advance before making the switch, to ensure they are ready to move to Digital Voice.

Initially, BT won’t be proactively switching anyone who falls under the below criteria, where it has this information available:

• Customers with a healthcare pendant
• Customers who only use landlines
• Customers with no mobile signal
• Customers who have disclosed any additional needs

BT will take extra time and will provide additional support to customers who are over 70 and are ready to make the switch."

It is important that residents engage with BT to ensure that their individual needs are understood and addressed during the switchover process.

Together, by collaborating with BT, residents can navigate this transition smoothly and ensure a seamless experience for all.

Flintshire County Council has joined forces with Good Things Foundation to ensure residents on low incomes are digitally enabled by providing them with free SIM cards and data vouchers through the National Databank. 

Free SIM cards and data vouchers are available from our five Connects Centres to eligible residents, taking a trust-based approach. The free data has been provided by Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three.  

Good Things Foundation is a charity helping people improve their lives through digital and their vision fits well with the Council’s ambitions.

As part of the Council’s digital vision, we are working with partners to support people to get online, helping residents access the internet, data connectivity and devices, helping to fix the digital divide in communities.