Heritage Project wins Award for Bridging Digital Divide

The East England based "Community Heritage Stores" project (CHS) has won the e-Gov ‘Best in Category’ award for its work in bridging the digital divide. The project, funded by Fens LeAP LEADER+ programme and a grant from the e-Innovations fund from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), beat 14 other projects from throughout England to take home this prize and was commended for its work in bringing older people online.

People from throughout West Norfolk have contributed their stories, photos and memories to the project website, which is linked below (http://www.localCHS.co.uk). All individuals have their own webpage within the site, every community and village has its own pages and the site reflects the rich heritage of the West Norfolk area. Most of the information has been collected by those considered least likely to use technology: the older residents of the communities, with several contributors in their late 80s.

The ODPM Minister for Local e-government Jim Fitzpatrick presented the award to Ellie Stoneley from UKVillages.co.uk, whch manages and delivers the project on behalf of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

In his speech Fitzpatrick said: 'The theme of "bridging the digital divide" is about reaching socially excluded groups - those who could easily be the last to benefit from e-delivered services but who generally are in most need of them.'

CHS project manager Stoneley said: 'This combination of heritage, community support and internet seems just right to encourage people who are generally shy of technology to try it out. We’ve held local workshops – which have been very well attended with many older residents getting together in some of the more isolated areas of West Norfolk to share their memories and stories and explore the local benefits of the Internet.'

Associated Link: Community Heritage Stores

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