Grant for more inclusion in Cumbria from Digital UK

Digital UK, the group that worked with local organisations to ensure people were ready for the change to digital last year, has awarded a grant to a digital inclusion scheme in Copeland, Cumbria.

Age Concern North West Cumbria has received a further grant to continue and grow the work already started to get more people using technology.

It will include a new Digital Inclusion Centre in Whitehaven, Copeland, to provide advice and support, developing the Digipal volunteer network set up for the switch-off and computer courses for older people.

Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK said: "Copeland’s place in broadcasting history is assured, not only as a digital pioneer but also in setting the standard for community involvement and support.

"The community-based approach we took in Copeland will be the model for switchovers to come all across the UK."

A survey of the switch-off process in Cumbria in October 2007 has just been released.

Digital UK is the independent, non-profit organisation leading the process of digital TV switchover in the UK. It provides impartial information on what people need to do to prepare for the move to digital, and when they need to do it.

The company also works with digital TV platform operators, equipment manufacturers, installers, retailers, rental companies and consumer groups to co-ordinate the technical rollout of digital television across the UK.

Digital UK is owned by the UK’s public service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext), and multiplex operators SDN and National Grid Wireless.